In the winter of 1881, Albert Bacon Blanton was born on a farm situated just outside of Frankfort, Kentucky. At the age of 16, Blanton began working at the Old Fire Copper Distillery (often abbreviated O.F.C. Distillery) as an office boy. Over the next few years, Blanton reportedly worked in every department at the distillery. By the age of 20, he was appointed the superintendent of O.F.C, and worked there until his retirement in 1952.Much like his mentor, E.H. Taylor, Blanton was a traditional bourbon aristocrat, wedded to the production of Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey. Blanton identified a certain section of Warehouse H at his distillery, which he believed was the best for aging bourbon, and would personally select individual barrels from the section to bottle for his own private reserve. In doing so, Blanton’s Private Reserve became the first single barrel bourbon ever.

Today, Blanton’s Original Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey is still aged in the same section of Warehouse H as Blanton’s Private Reserve was over 50 years ago. In addition, it continues to be bottled from a single barrel that is hand-selected based on its flavor profile.

Blanton’s Single Barrel Bourbon has a nose of apple and cinnamon, with hints of vanilla and caramel. The initial flavor profile is sweet, with notes of peaches, pears, and dried apricots. The flavors fade to a touch of cinnamon and baking spices and finish with notes of maple syrup and molasses.

Blanton’s Single Barrel Bourbon earned the Chairman’s Trophy as the world’s best bourbon at the Ultimate Spirits Challenge in 2012 and 2013, scoring three points higher than Pappy Van Winkle’s 23 Year Old Bourbon in 2012 and two points higher than Pappy Van Winkle’s 20 Year Old Bourbon in 2013. In addition, the bourbon earned the Double Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2012 and was said to be “liquid gold” in Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible.

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