Blanton's Straight From The Barrel is the cask-strength expression of the world's first single barrel bourbon — uncut, unfiltered, and bottled at natural barrel proof directly from Warehouse H at Buffalo Trace Distillery.
Where Blanton's Original is proofed down to 93 before bottling, Straight From The Barrel receives no water addition — each bottle is drawn from a single barrel at whatever proof that barrel reached after aging, typically ranging between 120 and 140 proof. The specific proof is printed on each bottle's label and varies from barrel to barrel, making every bottle a distinct, unrepeatable expression of that individual cask.
Blanton's SFTB is released primarily for the Japanese export market, where cask-strength single barrel bourbon has a long-established collector following. It is significantly harder to find in the United States than Blanton's Original, and domestic availability is limited to specialty retailers with direct import access. The gold wax seal distinguishes it from the red wax of the Original and the black wax of the Black Label.
The same Warehouse H center-cut barrels, the same high-rye Mash Bill #2, the same Elmer T. Lee heritage — at full barrel intensity. The result is a bourbon of extraordinary concentration: dark chocolate, caramel, toasted oak, and warm vanilla amplified by cask strength into a profile that ranks among the most complex in the single barrel category.
Tasting Notes
Nose: Rich and powerful — dark chocolate, caramel, toasted nuts, walnut, and butter with earthy undertones. Palate: Full and mouth-coating at cask strength — warm vanilla, rye spice, deep oak, honey, and butterscotch with intense barrel concentration. Finish: Deep, resonant, and long — spice and charred oak persisting well beyond the initial sip. Best served neat or with a few drops of water to open the full profile.
Specs
Distillery: Buffalo Trace, Frankfort, Kentucky. Mashbill: High-rye Mash Bill #2. Style: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Bottling: Single barrel, uncut, unfiltered. Proof: Cask strength — varies by barrel, typically 120–140 proof. Wax: Gold. Size: 750ml. Primary market: Japanese export.
Browse the full Blanton's collection at Wooden Cork, including Blanton's Original, Gold, Black, and rare Japanese market expressions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Blanton's Straight From The Barrel?
The cask-strength expression of Blanton's — a single barrel Kentucky straight bourbon bottled uncut and unfiltered at natural barrel proof with no water addition. Released primarily for the Japanese export market, it is the most intense and concentrated expression in the Blanton's lineup, with proof varying by barrel and printed on each individual bottle.
What proof is Blanton's Straight From The Barrel?
Proof varies by barrel — each bottle is drawn from a single barrel at its natural cask strength, typically ranging between 120 and 140 proof. The specific proof is printed on the label of each individual bottle. No two barrels are identical, and the proof difference between barrels can be meaningful in terms of flavor intensity and character.
How does Blanton's SFTB differ from Blanton's Original?
Both are single barrel bourbons from the same Warehouse H center-cut barrels at Buffalo Trace using the same high-rye Mash Bill #2. The key difference is proof and filtration: Original is proofed down to 93 before bottling; SFTB is bottled at natural cask strength (120–140 proof) with no water addition and no chill filtration. SFTB delivers significantly more barrel intensity, concentration, and heat. Original is more approachable; SFTB is the collector's expression of the same DNA.
Why is Blanton's SFTB hard to find in the US?
Blanton's Straight From The Barrel is released primarily for the Japanese export market, where it has been distributed since the 1980s. Domestic US allocation is extremely limited — far more so than Blanton's Original — and availability is restricted to specialty retailers with direct import relationships. Wooden Cork ships nationwide when stock is available.
Is Blanton's SFTB allocated?
Yes — Blanton's SFTB is both allocated and primarily export-market focused, making it significantly harder to source than the standard Blanton's lineup. Wooden Cork receives allocations and ships nationwide with adult-signature delivery.
Please note: Due to Blanton’s hand-dipped wax seal design, minor cracking or seepage may occur during transit. This is a known characteristic of the packaging rather than a product defect. Shipping protection is strongly recommended. The collector’s bag is not included with this listing unless explicitly stated.
