We are back for the second part of our two-part comparison of Eagle Rare and Blanton’s. Last article centered on Eagle Rare while this one will have the tasting notes of Blanton’s. We will then have our overview of both and some final notes. As stated in that last blog, both are from Buffalo Trace Distillery, both are renowned for their quality, and both are loved by yours truly, Talking Bourbon. Like last post, we have again two guest tasters, Frank and Nate.
Blanton’s, like Eagle Rare is getting harder and harder to find, and getting more and more expensive. You will be lucky to find it under $80, more likely around the $120 range. It is 93 proof, and while there is no age statement on the bottle it is rumored to be between 6 and 8 years old. There is also no mash bill on the website, but again, the popular thought is that it has a bit more rye than Eagle Rare. Blanton’s comes in a very good-looking roundish-shaped bottle with the now iconic jockey atop a horse as part of the cork.
Blanton’s was created by the legendary Elmer T Lee who named it after another legendary figure he worked under, Colonel Blanton who was president of Stagg Distillery which became Buffalo Trace. From their website ” Introduced in 1984, Blanton’s namesake bourbon was the first ever Single Barrel Bourbon sold commercially.”
It is hard to find a Bourbon lover who hasn’t heard of, doesn’t like or at least appreciate Blanton’s Single Barrel Bourbon. It is truly an icon of Bourbon. But is it worth the price of admission to enjoy a glass? Read on.
NOSE
Frank: Caramel, citrus, and cedar. Ice just subdues all aromas.
Nate: Smells a little hot with almonds, toast, and wood.
Matt: Sweet brown sugar, vanilla, cedar, and leather with hints of musty grain and wheat. I also pick up just a trace of pear.
Todd: Sweet and fruity are the first things that come to mind. Also get scents of hickory, cedar, bread, and corn. Ice did nothing.
TASTE
Frank: I taste the cedar and a bit of the citrus that I got on the nose. Sweeter than I remember with hints of vanilla. Ice takes something away, prefer neat.
Nate: Honey, wood, and a slight taste of plums. I too prefer neat.
Matt: A woody, sweet taste of grain and corn. This is followed by grassy tobacco flavors. Ice brought out a little more sweetness and grain. Better neat.
Todd: Tastes are very similar to the nose with sweetness, cedar, corn, bread, and wood. Also, get a bit of leather and a slight nuttiness. I agree, better neat.
FINISH
Frank: Medium with a little more vanilla and overall sweetness.
Nate: Medium long with not much change.
Matt: A great calm medium long finish.
Todd: Long with hints of wood and just a bit of spice.
Nose 4.25 out of 5
Taste 8.5 out of 10
Finish 4.5 out of 5
Total score 17.25 out of 20 barrels.
OVERALL, FOR BOTH
Frank: While the two are very similar, and both are better neat, I feel Blanton’s is better on the taste and the finish.
Nate: Eagle Rare, to me, had the better all-around nose, taste, and finish.
Matt: Eagle Rare has always been one of my favorite Bourbons even though it seemed a bit hotter than remembered. It is a tough choice but I feel like Eagle comes out ahead. The complexity is greater, and I enjoy the contrast of flavors between the wood and dark cherries.
Todd: I can’t believe I am saying this, because like Matt, I have always loved Eagle Rare, but I feel like Blanton’s was a bit better. Don’t get me wrong, both are excellent Bourbons, both are very complex, and both have a good finish. I just feel like Blanton’s was a little smoother with a bit more taste.
Well, that wraps up our comparison and we swear we did not go two for Blanton’s and two for Eagle Rare on purpose. In fact, we thought ahead of the tasting that Eagle Rare would win out four to zero. As they say in sports, that’s why you play the game. But remember, Blanton’s is a single barrel Bourbon so each batch can be a bit different.
These Bourbons were so close, and we liked them both so much, that for some it will come down to price and availability. As a general rule, Blanton’s is about $40-$50 more expensive. And both are hard to find. A rule here at Talking Bourbon, buy Eagle Rare if under $70, Buy Blanton’s if under $100.
Final thought, if you are a Bourbon person and if money is not a big issue and you can find them, we strongly recommend having a bottle of both Eagle Rare and Blanton’s in your liquor cabinet. And we strongly recommend asking us over to drink them with you.