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]]>Earlier this year, Buffalo Trace Distillery announce that the fabled Blanton’s Gold version of their single barrel bourbon would be release in the United States for the first time. Now, they’ve also promised a domestic release of another special Blanton’s: Blanton’s Straight From The Barrel.
Blanton’s SFTB United States Release
Blanton’s Straight From The Barrel’s USA release was announced by Buffalo Trace Distillery on August 27, 2020 with a promise of the first drop coming this fall. As is true with the Blanton’s Gold Edition, the SFTB release will be a limited annual drop. Don’t expect to see this on the shelves every time you walk in. Instead, you can anticipate a release similar to the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection (BTAC)– a handful of bottles, at best, released to limited stores.
Blanton’s SFTB is an uncut and unfiltered version of Blanton’s Single Barrel and Blanton’s Gold. Because it comes, well, “straight from the barrel”, the proof will vary depending on which barrel each bottle came from. If you’re a fan of high-proof, cask strength bourbons, this will be one for you to try. As a reminder, Blanton’s Original Single Barrel is 93 Proof (46.5% ABV), while Blanton’s Gold Edition clocks in a 103 Proof (51.5% ABV). Previous barrels of Blanton’s Straight From The Barrel have been over 130 Proof (65% ABV).
Buffalo Trace Distillery offers a suggested retail price of $150.
Blanton’s Straight From The Barrel in NC
Like other allocated bourbons, Blanton’s SFTB will be a highly sought after limited release in North Carolina. The State ABC Warehouse will distribute their cases across local ABC counties/towns on a lottery system, and those local ABC boards will in turn distribute them to their customers as they see fit.
If you’re incredibly lucky, and you know when bottles are being released, your local ABC might have them available on the shelf or visible behind the counter. Other ABC locations may distribute via a lottery system or raffle. Still others will only distribute allocated bourbon to those on a list.
We always recommend building relationships with your local ABC store employees and being a good patron of their other, non-allocated products. Be a good customer and a better friend.
Can You Buy Blanton’s Straight From The Barrel Online?
Most heavily allocated bottles will be available from some online retailers, but usually not at retail pricing. If they are, they will likely sell out immediately. If you’re willing to pay a premium for the convenience and availability, NC Whiskey recommends checking out Bounty Hunter’s bourbon selection. I wouldn’t expect to see Blanton’s SFTB anywhere online for at least a few months, and when you do see them, expect prices above $300.
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]]>The post How To Find Blanton’s Single Barrel Bourbon In NC appeared first on NC Whiskey.
]]>Blanton’s Single Barrel Bourbon is one of North Carolina’s most coveted allocated whiskeys. The NC ABC system gets a shipment of Blanton’s about once every quarter, and most ABC stores will only get about 6 or so bottles at a time. Blanton’s is a 93 Proof (46.5% ABV) Single Barrel Bourbon — allegedly the first standard Single Barrel offering. It is distilled by Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky.
Why Is Blanton’s Hard to Find in NC?
Blanton’s retails across the state for $59.95 plus 7% tax. The rumor is that the NC ABC Board doesn’t have the best relationship with Buffalo Trace Distillery. That, plus the fact that NC ABC is seen as a single entity, means our allocation of some Buffalo Trace products is extremely limited. The central warehouse distributes the limited quarterly supply of Blanton’s to the various boards across the state, and then the local boards decide how they will get them in the hands of customers. These bottles fly off the shelves, if they even make it that far, or are held back for loyal patrons, friends, or sometimes just those that are bold enough to ask. You know the saying… “got anything in back?” Many counties or town ABC boards will let them go in a lottery.
How to Buy Blanton’s in NC
Your best bet for buying a Blanton’s inside the state of North Carolina is to do the following:
- Keep an eye on the NC ABC Warehouse Stock Status page. This will let you know if Blanton’s is delivered to the state warehouses in Raleigh or Clayton. Store Managers and ABC boards will order from there, so you can expect stores to get things usually within a couple weeks (this may be different for heavily allocated products like BTAC).
- Build a relationship with your local ABC Store employees and managers. Be their friend and a loyal consumer. Chat it up. Let them know when you see Blanton’s pop into the state warehouse and let them know you’re keeping an eye for a bottle for a special occasion.
- Be patient. It may take several quarters of shipments to land one. Your local board might distribute Blanton’s in a lottery or through a list system.
Know that this process may not work for everybody. Blanton’s is highly sought after in North Carolina and it will be tough to get your hands on a bottle. You’ll need a flexible schedule and a lot of patience. Your board may not help you the way you want. Don’t be afraid to go hunting and stop in at different stores around the state. Join some local Facebook groups; they can help you know when Blanton’s is hitting the delivery trucks.
You can also try driving out of state. Check Virginia’s ABC website and see if they have any in stock in stores near the border. South Carolina and Tennessee don’t have centralized systems, so you’ll have to drive around and see what stores have on the shelf (they may be marked above NC retail prices, though).
Buy Blanton’s Online in North Carolina
If you’re really desperate to buy Blanton’s for a special occasion (or you just really love the juice), you might be able to find it through some online retailers. It goes pretty fast there, too, though.
Nestor Liquors is an online retailer that ships to NC, and they often have a selection of Blanton’s products. You can see what they have in stock and if it’s worth the price.
1-877 Spirits partners with various retailers, so they seem to always have some in stock — but it can be marked up to exorbitant prices. You can definitely buy a bottle there, but the price will shock you. Check the current price, now.
Another favorite online retailer is Reserve Bar. I don’t often see Blanton’s Single Barrel Bourbon in stock there, but maybe you’ll get lucky. They have a great selection of other bourbon at reasonable prices. Shipping for one bottle is pretty high, but if you buy multiple it doesn’t increase too much.
Buy Blanton’s Online
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Blanton’s Gold
Be aware, too, that Blanton’s Gold will be making its United States distribution debut in Summer 2020. Read more about the Blanton’s Gold U.S. release here.
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For years, Blanton’s Gold has been an international release coveted by United States bourbon collectors and enthusiasts. Traveling abroad, US whiskey lovers hunted for Blanton’s Gold from Europe to Japan. Now, Buffalo Trace Distillery has announced that Blanton’s Gold will be released in the United States as early as June 2020.
Blanton’s Single Barrel vs. Blanton’s Gold
Blanton’s Gold will be a welcome addition to the to Buffalo Trace release lineup. Among favorites like Weller Antique 107 and Stagg Jr., Blanton’s is a whiskey hunter’s favorite prey. But other than its international availability, what’s different about this new Blanton’s release from the regular US release of Blanton’s Single Barrel?
The answer: almost nothing is different. Blanton’s Single Barrel and Blanton’s Gold offer the same mashbill from Buffalo Trace, and the same Single Barrel designation. The main, if not the only, difference between these two bourbons is the proof. The classic Single Barrel from Blanton’s rings in at 93 proof, or 46.5% alcohol by volume (ABV). Blanton’s Gold, previously only available outside of the United States, is the same bourbon recipe and ambiguous age statement, but boasts a hotter 103 proof, or 51.5% ABV.
This hotter expression of the Blanton’s you all know and love will likely be a little more complex. Higher proof bourbons are becoming increasingly popular. Buffalo Trace Distillery earns annual interest in their high-proof Antique Collection (BTAC). Fans also enjoy the E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof and Stagg Jr. releases. The 103 proof single barrel won’t be quite that hot, but will still add some zing to sippers.
Tasting Notes
Blanton’s gold is described as having a nose of honey, rye, chocolate, and heavy vanilla. Oliy and buttery, the taste is oaky with dried fruits, honey, and pepper. The finish is long, but not too hot, with hints of apple or pear. As previously mentioned, this Single Barrel bourbon will be 103 Proof and has an MSRP in the United States of $120 dollars.
How To Buy Blanton’s Gold
In North Carolina, for our target audience, the retail price at local ABC stores is set at $119.95. The allocation is likely to be limited and this release will certainly fly off the shelves. The good news is that typical hunters may grab a Gold Edition before the classic 94 proof SiB. More options means more general availability, but these bourbons will both still be tough to find.
Until recently, the secondary market prices on Blanton’s Gold have been fairly high, because of limited availability in the United States. I suspect that this domestic release will bring those prices down significantly as the bourbon becomes easier to find. Forget the secondary market on this bourbon for now, and try to hunt it in stores or online.
You can also try online retailers. Customers outside of NC will have some luck with Drizly home delivery.
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