Blanton's

Blanton's was the first commercially released single barrel bourbon, bottled in 1984 at Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky by master distiller Elmer T. Lee. Each bottle is drawn from a single barrel — no blending — and sealed with the signature hand-applied pewter stopper featuring a jockey and horse in one of eight poses that spell B-L-A-N-T-O-N-S when collected complete.

Original Single Barrel — 93 proof

The flagship domestic expression and the bottle that created the single barrel category. Aged in new charred American oak barrels in Buffalo Trace's Warehouse H, the Original delivers caramel, vanilla, orange zest, and subtle oak with a smooth, accessible finish. Available in 50ml, 375ml, and 750ml formats.

Gold Edition — 103 proof

Bottled at a higher proof than the Original from the same wheated Buffalo Trace mashbill, producing a richer, spicier, and more intense character. The Gold is primarily a foreign market release; Wooden Cork imports both the domestic and foreign editions.

Black Edition — 93 proof

Aged a minimum of six years — longer than the standard Blanton's program — the Black Edition develops deeper oak, tobacco, dried fruit, and dark chocolate alongside the familiar caramel base. A domestic market release and one of the most underrated expressions in the lineup.

Straight From The Barrel — Barrel Proof

Uncut and unfiltered, bottled at natural barrel proof — typically between 120 and 136 proof depending on the barrel, with the exact proof printed on each bottle's label. The most intense Blanton's expression, with concentrated vanilla, oak, and dark fruit character. Available in limited allocation with fast nationwide shipping from Wooden Cork.

Japanese Market Imports

Wooden Cork imports several Blanton's expressions produced exclusively for the Japanese market — bottles that are among the rarest Blanton's available in the United States. Japan has been Blanton's largest export market since the 1980s, and Takara Shuzo has been the exclusive Japanese importer since the brand launched.

Special Reserve Red Label — 93 proof

Produced exclusively for the Japanese market under the "Special Reserve" designation. The Red Label uses the standard Blanton's wheated mashbill and aging program in a bottle designed specifically for the Japanese consumer — rarely available at US retailers.

Special Reserve Green Label — 93 proof

The companion Japanese market expression to the Red Label, sharing the same mashbill and profile. The Green Label is one of the most visually distinctive Blanton's bottles and among the hardest to find outside of Japan.

Takara Gold Box

A premium Japanese market expression produced through Takara Shuzo — the original Blanton's importer in Japan — presented in distinctive gold packaging. One of the most collectible single barrel Blanton's expressions available.

Silver Edition — 94 proof

A Japanese market exclusive bottled at 94 proof, produced for duty-free channels. The Silver Edition is among the rarest and most sought-after Blanton's expressions worldwide — virtually unavailable through US retail channels. Wooden Cork carries it when allocation permits.

Rare & Collector Editions

Beyond the core lineup, Wooden Cork carries a rotating selection of limited single barrel releases, international market exclusives, and collector-grade vintage expressions — including bottles unavailable through standard US distribution.

La Maison du Whisky (LMDW) Annual Exclusives

La Maison du Whisky — one of the world's most respected independent spirits retailers, based in Paris — has released an annual single barrel Blanton's exclusive since 2019, each selected from Warehouse H at Buffalo Trace. The LMDW series (2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2024, 2025) produces Warehouse H single barrels at or near cask strength, in 700ml format, with both standard and Live Barrel (cask strength) variants available in recent years. Wooden Cork carries current and back-vintage LMDW releases.

Poland M&P Wine & Spirits Festival Editions

Annual limited releases produced exclusively for the M&P Wine & Spirits Festival in Poland from 2014 through 2019 — single barrels from Warehouse H, typically 100 proof, in 700ml format. Among the rarest Blanton's market exclusives available outside their home market.

Special Releases

Wooden Cork also carries notable domestic and international special releases including the Char No. 4 2022 (deeply charred barrel, 750ml), Honey Barrel 2021, 40th Anniversary 2024 Special Edition (commemorating four decades since the September 1984 launch), River Edition 2023, and the Blanton's 2020 Special Release (117 proof, non-chill filtered).

Vintage & Founding Era

For collectors seeking the deepest provenance, Wooden Cork periodically carries original 1984-era Blanton's bottlings — including bottles from the founding year with mint wax and original bags — alongside other vintage single barrels from the early years of the brand.

• All Bourbon
• Buffalo Trace Distillery Collection
• Rare & Allocated Bottles
• Bottled in Bond Bourbon
• Bourbon Gifts

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I buy Blanton's bourbon online?

Wooden Cork carries the full Blanton's lineup — Original, Gold, Black, Straight From The Barrel, and imported expressions including Red Label, Green Label, Silver Edition, and La Maison du Whisky annual releases — with fast nationwide shipping and adult-signature delivery.

What is the difference between Blanton's Original and Gold?

Blanton's Original is 93 proof; Gold is 103 proof from the same wheated Buffalo Trace mashbill. The higher proof on Gold produces a richer, more intense character with more spice. Both are single barrel expressions from Warehouse H.

Why is Blanton's bourbon so hard to find?

Blanton's is allocated — Buffalo Trace distributes limited quantities to select retailers each year. Demand has significantly outpaced supply since the mid-2010s, particularly for Gold, Black, and Straight From The Barrel expressions. Wooden Cork receives regular allocations across the lineup.

What does the horse stopper mean on Blanton's bourbon?

Each Blanton's bottle is sealed with a hand-applied pewter stopper featuring a jockey and horse in one of eight poses. The eight poses together spell B-L-A-N-T-O-N-S. Collecting a complete set of all eight stoppers has become a pursuit among bourbon enthusiasts — Wooden Cork sells complete 8-bottle horse collection sets for Original, Gold, Black, Green Label, Red Label, and Straight From The Barrel.

What is Blanton's Straight From The Barrel proof?

Blanton's SFTB is bottled at natural barrel proof without dilution — typically between 120 and 136 proof, varying by barrel. The exact proof is printed on each individual bottle's label.

What are Blanton's Red Label and Green Label?

The Red Label (Special Reserve) and Green Label (Special Reserve) are Blanton's expressions produced exclusively for the Japanese market. They use the same wheated Buffalo Trace mashbill as the Original at 93 proof, but in bottles designed for the Japanese consumer. They are rarely available through US retailers — Wooden Cork imports both expressions.

What is Blanton's LMDW?

LMDW refers to La Maison du Whisky, a prestigious Paris-based spirits retailer that releases an annual single barrel Blanton's exclusive selected from Warehouse H at Buffalo Trace. These bottlings — produced since 2019 — are available at or near cask strength in 700ml format and are among the most collectible Blanton's expressions released each year.