Blanton’s Straight from the Barrel Bourbon (bottled 2026, barrel #42), 65.15%

Introduction

Blanton’s is one of the most acclaimed names in the bourbon world and is widely regarded as the originator of the single barrel concept, having launched its first single barrel bourbon in 1984. “Straight from the Barrel” is the most uncompromising expression in the lineup — an undiluted, unfiltered bourbon bottled directly from the cask, offering whisky enthusiasts the purest and most authentic tasting experience that Buffalo Trace has to offer.

Production Method

• Ingredients: Bourbon produced using Buffalo Trace’s classic corn-forward mash bill, complemented by rye and malted barley, with grain grown in the Kentucky region and made with the characteristically limestone-rich water from the local source.
• Distillation Process: Distilled in copper pot stills and column stills at Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky, in accordance with strict bourbon regulations — including distillation to a maximum of 80% ABV and entry into the barrel at no more than 62.5% ABV.
• Maturation: Aged in new, charred American oak barrels in the iconic rickhouses at Buffalo Trace, where Kentucky’s extreme seasonal temperature swings ensure a deep and active interaction between spirit and wood over many years.
• Special Techniques: Bottled as a single barrel directly from barrel no. 42 without dilution or chill filtration, preserving all natural oils, textures, and aromas in their entirety. Bottled in 2026, giving this specific expression a unique identity and full traceability.

Tasting Notes

• Nose: Rich and complex with intense notes of vanilla, caramel, and dark honey, layered with spiced oak, leather, and hints of dried fruit. The high alcohol content brings warmth and fresh touches of oak vanillin and lightly burnt caramel to the fore.
• Palate: Full-bodied and oily on the palate, with explosive layers of brown sugar, dark chocolate, roasted oak nuts, and spices such as cinnamon and allspice. The natural cask strength delivers an intense, multi-layered complexity that opens up beautifully with a drop of water.
• Finish: Long, warm, and lingering, with dried fruits, dark oak, vanilla, and a delicate sweetness of caramelised sugar that remains pleasantly on the palate long after the last sip.

Serving Recommendations

• Serving Temperature: Room temperature (approx. 18–22°C) to bring out the full aromatic complexity.
• Glass Recommendation: A Glencairn glass or tulip-shaped nosing glass, which concentrates the aromas and provides the best possible tasting experience.
• Serving Suggestions: Best enjoyed neat or with a single drop of pure, cold water to open up the complex flavour layers and draw out the natural sweetness. Ice is not recommended, as it suppresses the more subtle nuances.
• Food Pairings: Perfect alongside high-percentage dark chocolate, aged cheddar, caramelised nuts, smoked meats, or a classic crème brûlée — dishes that mirror and complement the bourbon’s natural sweetness and spice.

Product Specifications

• Alcohol Content: 65.15% ABV (cask strength)
• Bottle Size: 70 cl
• Country/Region of Origin: USA – Frankfort, Kentucky (Buffalo Trace Distillery)
• Certifications/Awards: Buffalo Trace Distillery has been repeatedly named “Distillery of the Year” by both Whisky Advocate and the World Whiskies Awards. The Blanton’s range enjoys global recognition as one of the most sought-after bourbon series on the market.

Summary

A Unique Tasting Experience

Blanton’s Straight from the Barrel from barrel no. 42, bottled in 2026, represents bourbon in its most honest and undiluted form — an experience that simply cannot be replicated, as every individual barrel is unique and finite.

As a single barrel release produced in limited quantity — from one single barrel — there is an absolute and irrevocable number of bottles available in the world, and once they are gone, they are gone forever.

Buffalo Trace Distillery holds the title of one of the world’s most award-winning distilleries and is the institution that, decades ago, defined the very concept of “single barrel bourbon” — a legacy that demands uncompromising quality in every single bottle.

Recognition from Connoisseurs

Blanton’s Straight from the Barrel consistently ranks among the world’s most sought-after bourbons, as recognised by international whisky experts, critics, and collectors alike — and the unique profile of barrel no. 42 commands attention from even the most discerning palates.

Choosing a cask strength single barrel bourbon of this calibre means joining a tradition of uncompromising craftsmanship and genuine whisky culture, respected and celebrated across continents and generations.

To own and enjoy a bottle from a specific, named barrel is to hold a piece of bourbon history — a distinction shared by whisky enthusiasts, collectors, and connoisseurs around the world.

From Buffalo Trace to You

Each and every year, Buffalo Trace’s master distillers pour all of their knowledge, experience, and passion into every single barrel — and with the Straight from the Barrel series, they share the result with you unfiltered, undiluted, and without compromise.

There is something deeply personal about a single barrel bourbon: behind barrel no. 42 lie decades of tradition, dedicated craftspeople, and a distillery that has made it their life’s work to create something extraordinary for you.

Join thousands of bourbon lovers around the world — bring the unique character of barrel no. 42 home, share it with those you care about, and discover for yourself what makes Blanton’s Straight from the Barrel one of the most iconic bourbons of our time.