2019 Blanton’s Polish “Blanton’s Blue” | 98.0 proof | Barrel #294 | Warehouse H | Floor 1

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 Straight From The Barrell (SFTB – Cask/Barrell Strength) that is sold in the European and Caribbean markets (until 2020 where it started to sell some in the US). 
• Special Reserve (Green label – 80 proof) started in Europe sold some in Australian market
• Takara Red (93 proof) and Takara Black (80 proof) sold in the Japanese market and rumored to be eight years
• Takara Gold (103 proof) sold in the Japanese market and is rumored to be eight years
• Silver (98 proof – discontinued) sold as an international duty-free only bottle
• Greek (129.2 proof) sold in the Greek market
• La Maison du Whisky (LMDW - various proof) is a SFTB expression sold in the French market at the Wine store that holds the name
• Polish (various proof) started in 2014 and originated at the M&P Wine and Spirits Festival Exclusive
• Any many others out there… a deep rabbit hole.  

Nose: A tinge of oiliness and honey-like honeysuckle with a light note of spice and a smell of red, clay, soil - bringing me back to the time when I saw my aunt (serving as a nun) at Pleiku, Vietnam with its alluvial red soil. When I smell it, a velvet red with a hint of brown comes to the mind. Amid everything, there is a softness to it that reminds me of wasting life away looking at the clouds while the sun’s ethereal lights pierce the opening and seemingly to kiss you ever so gracefully – a blissful feeling – too many have forgotten the luxury of such idling.  

Going back to the honey note, it makes me wonder if that was what the Honorable Colonel Blanton thought when he said honey barrels in the 1940s and 1950s. A very soft sweetness that seems to encapsulate the senses but like a gentle mist-like feeling of yellowish glistening of aura – like a soft white lightbulb’s rays of light illuminating the room.    

Mid-palate: A delicate, liquorish, candy, sweetness that reminds me of ice tea... It starts to warm the crevices of the mouth that seems to offer a soft hug from a brother that you haven’t seen in a while. Where you seem to want to hug a little longer but it seems weird and unmanly to do so too long. A slight bitterness that complements quite well with a finish of sweetness that lingers a little longer than one might think. More of that light honey one may feel… maybe not the honeybee honey, but the agave nectar honey following by a strike of spice that gives this expression more complexity despite the flavor seeming to be the standard soft-sweet tone.  

Verdict: Various Blanton’s SiBs have different styles and expressions that seemingly represent the ethos of that region. Gold has a heat profile that is unique to most Blanton’s, and one may think Europeans can be hot-tempered from time to time. Special Reserves is mellow, as many would say of Aussies. Red and Black are very balanced as the Japanese tend to incorporate harmony in everything they do. Greek is bold as many Greek may express such notions. The LMDW is complex and dare I say romantic?  

I didn’t know what to think of this Polish expression, but it exceeded expectations. Some regard this as the best Polish ever released. I think it will join me in the next opportunity of a sunny day with cumulous clouds in the summer - wasting away the moment in nothingness.