Q's Quest to Nothing

History and Note: Blanton’s was first introduced in 1984 by Elmer T. Lee in honor of his Teacher, Kentucky Colonel Albert B. Blanton’s, who had passed away in 1959. I have always regarded Colonel Blanton as the initiator of the bourbon renaissance. Without his pioneering notion of honey barrels to buy off politicians in favor of Bourbon post Prohibition, bourbon, as we know it, would not be the same. What makes Blanton’s unique is that they are all single‑barrel (SiB), aged in Warehouse H – which was a metal building that allowed it to conduct heat and accelerated the aging process (a forerunner to heat cycling [Q’s hypothetical thought]). If you have yet to do it, see Warehouse H for yourself; honestly speaking, it doesn’t look all that special, but d*** right, lots of good bourbon has exist because of it.  There are quite a variety of Blanton’s Vintages and expression:   The regular SiB is generally six years old at 93 proof Gold (103 proof) and Straig...

    Nose:   A slightly damp with a tinge of the mustiness of a dusty.   Slight summer grassiness overlying a sweet rock sugar foundation rising to soft sweet floral notes with that backdrop of mustiness.   A peculiar combination, but immensely enticing one.      Mid-palate:   A delicate floral sweetness that reminds me of being a kid and tasting that perfect piece of candy as it melts in your mouth.   Overly smooth that has an essence of butterlike as it slides across the tongue.   The dusty notes come as a backdrop to the smooth front.   As I go back for the second and third sip, I see green colors, reminiscent of the green from a sprouting leaf that isn’t fully mature yet but coming into existence. So delicate and graceful while offering a mouth-coating feeling that warms the crevices of the palate as well as my chest.     Verdict: I didn’t quite know what to expect from a Four Roses rye… knowing that ...