Blanton’s bourbon, as described to be desirable, gorgeous, and mystical- is undoubtedly one of the best bourbons there is to find. But why is Blanton’s so hard to find?
Is it about the flavor profile or the mash bill? Let’s not take a guess and find out why our favorite single barrel bourbons are always missing.
7 Main Reasons Why Blanton’s so Hard To Find
7. Single Barrel Production
Making Blanton’s single-barrel is not easy, and aging good bourbon consumes so much time. The Blanton’s bourbon’s aging process takes up to 6 to 8 years.
The fact that it is a single barrel means that it is literally aged in one barrel, and it cannot be mixed with liquors from other barrels.
So when a barrel tastes bad or doesn’t fit for quality, it’s automatically rejected.
6. Possible Allocated Bottles
We have been taught the rule “first come, first served,” but that’s not the case in some states.
Blanton’s costs are higher in some places where the bottle is limited or already allocated, making it pretty hard for normal bourbon lovers to get their hands on the bottle.
Sometimes, your local liquor store would have to sell you a few lower-quality bourbons of the same brand so they can also get the premium ones on their store shelves to sell you.
Even if you are lucky enough to get one bottle of Blanton’s, the price is surely heavily inflated. But how can you find allocated bourbons?
5. Unexpected Whiskey Boom
Buffalo Trace Distillery did not anticipate that there would be a whiskey boom or that their bottles would be in demand in the next years.
People have been getting hyped for standard whiskeys and dark spirits in the past few years. Not long after, collectors and whiskey fans sought quality bourbons, and Blanton’s single barrel bourbon was one of the in demand at that time.
But the Buffalo Trace Distillery was not ready to catch up with the demand, and until now, they are still a bit behind.
4. Unique & Rare Design
Apart from the outstanding quality and flavor profile of Blanton’s single barrel bourbon, Blanton’s brand is also known for its unique and rare design packaging.
The horse and jockey on top is a famous trademark of the brand. It also comes with eight letters that, when combined, can be spelled “B-L-A-N-T-O-N’-S.”
The brand’s popularity is a factor in why there is so much demand. It is so popular that it can be seen featured in famous movies and shows.
Most notably, John Wick, starred by Keanu Reeves, featured Blanton’s whiskey in the movie. It just proves that Blanton’s whiskey is world-class and worth it.
Read: What Bourbon Does John Wick Drink?
3. High Demand
Local
The demand in every state in America also varies. Although it is well-loved across America, some states still have higher demands than others.
The current law that doesn’t allow the company to sell Blanton’s directly to consumers doesn’t help at all too. But is Blanton’s bourbon available at Costco?
Overseas
Blanton’s single barrel bourbon is also available overseas, especially in Japan, where the demand is high. The fact that they could sell it up to 3x abroad doesn’t help the scarcity of the bourbon.
2. Steady Supply/Shortage
Since whiskey is booming, there has been a supply shortage for Blanton’s single-barrel bourbons. The distillery did not anticipate that in the next decade, there would be a shortage of supply.
Though they were producing more bourbons in the last decade, it’s still said that the demand is still outpacing supply.
Since the unending demand is constant and it takes 6 to 8 years, the gap between the supply and demand is still unsolved.
Read: Blanton’s Bourbon vs Eagle Rare
1. Liquor Control Boards In Specific States
In some specific states, there are various laws and regulations regarding the production, sales, and distribution of alcohol.
These are the following states that have liquor control boards—Alabama, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Idaho, Oregon, Iowa, Maine, Michigan, Virginia, West Virginia, Mississippi, Montana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Utah, Vermont, and Wyoming.
If you lived in one of these states, you better expect that catching a bottle of Blanton’s is more difficult due to stricter policies.
Who Makes Blanton’s Bourbon?
Blanton’s bourbon is a masterpiece of the master distiller Elmer Lee of Buffalo Trace Distillery ( Age International owns the distillery at the time). It was first introduced in 1984 by Mr. Lee and is named in tribute to Colonel Albert B. Blanton. [1]
It is said that Colonel Blanton, during his time as the master distiller, would specially handpick single barrels at the center cut of the Warehouse H to serve his dignitaries and guests.
Now, after Age International sold the distillery, it is owned by the Sazerac company, which also owns Buffalo Trace.
Where Can You Easily Buy It?
You can not buy it easily. Though there are some ways (like befriending your local bar owners, sellers, distributors, or constantly checking liquor websites) to get your hand in this premium bourbon, it’s no easy task.
Is It Expensive Because It’s Hard To Find?
Yes, apart from its outstanding quality, the exclusivity and scarcity of the bourbon affect the price when it is sold.
It’s extremely rare to find a bottle of Blanton’s in the secondary market or your local liquor stores. The rarity is also why consumers seek it, even if it is expensive.
FAQs
How much is a bottle of Blanton’s bourbon?
One bottle of 375 ml Blanton’s Single Barrel Bourbon costs around $5, and 750 ml costs around $130. Though that’s the suggested retail price, we recommend you to prepare for extra costs as most sellers sell it for a higher price.
What do you get if you collect all B-L-A-N-T-O-N-S tops?
Collecting all eight tops of Blanton’s bourbon is a pride among its fans and bourbon collectors, but it is also said that when you collect all eight tops, you can send them to the Buffalo Trace Distillery. They will mount it on stave barrels and return it to you for free.
Is Blanton’s bourbon the hardest bourbon to find?
No. Aside from Blanton’s, other brands are also harder to find, like Pappy Van Winkle, Four Roses Al Young 50th Anniversary Small Batch Bourbon, Eagle Rare, and other bourbons that are mostly aged over a decade.
Why is Blanton’s so hard to find?
Blanton’s has gained a reputation as one of the finest bourbons available, leading to high demand among enthusiasts and collectors. However, its production is limited, contributing to its scarcity in the market.
Where can I buy Blanton’s bourbon?
Blanton’s is typically available at select liquor stores, bars, and restaurants. However, due to its limited availability, it may not always be in stock. Checking with local retailers or using online platforms that specialize in rare spirits might increase your chances of finding it.
Does Blanton’s release limited editions or special bottlings?
Yes, Blanton’s occasionally releases special editions or limited bottlings, which further contributes to its desirability and scarcity. These releases often feature unique blends or packaging variations.
How is Blanton’s bourbon different from other bourbons?
Blanton’s is known for its high quality and distinct flavor profile, characterized by notes of caramel, vanilla, oak, and spice. It is also notable for being one of the first single barrel bourbons, meaning each bottle comes from a single barrel, contributing to variation between batches.
Why is Blanton’s bottle design unique?
Blanton’s bottles feature a distinctive design, including a stopper with a horse and jockey figurine on top. Each bottle’s stopper displays a different letter of the alphabet, spelling out “B-L-A-N-T-O-N-‘S” when collected in order, adding an element of collectibility to the brand.
Is Blanton’s worth the hype?
Opinions on this vary among bourbon enthusiasts. Some believe that Blanton’s justifies its reputation and scarcity with its exceptional quality and flavor profile, while others argue that there are comparable bourbons available at lower prices. Ultimately, whether Blanton’s is worth the hype depends on individual preferences and priorities.
In A Nutshell
Since the demand outpaced the supply for Blanton’s bourbon, the scarcity became more noticeable.
The long process of production, the booming of whiskey, and the liquor control boards in some states greatly affected the distribution and availability of the bourbon.
Buffalo Trace has been increasing their production capacity to make more bourbons but still enough.
Reference:
- https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/68814288/albert-bacon-blanton
