The finest bourbon in the world comes from a single barrel. That's the way Colonel Albert B. Blanton first bottled his private reserve bourbon nearly a century ago. Blanton believed the "center-cut" or middle sections of Warehouse H were the best for aging his bourbon. Personally tasting and choosing each barrel, these barrels were reserved and bottled for ambassadors, dignitaries, family and friends becoming the world's first single barrel bourbon. His time-honored tradition lives on today as only a handful of barrels from the center of Warehouse H are selected to become Blanton's Single Barrel Bourbon. Bottle: Nice presentation. The bottle comes in a gift box and large drawstring cloth bag, multifaceted orb with central parchment colored band on the centerline with scalloped edges. Topped with a cast jockey and racehorse at a gallop. As a side note, if you collect enough of these corks you will have a collection that shows a full cycle of movement (stride) like a stop action set. These can be mounted on a barrel stave stand from the distillery.

Appearance: Deep golden/red color in the bottle, always a good sign for bourbon. First Impression: Dry, almost amontillado-like bouquet, leather, and on more warming: char, toffee, some spiciness, and a faint trace of marzipan. Taste: Sweet start, then going dry quickly, creamy roundness to it, corn and rye. A touch of persimmon perhaps, char and rye at the end. Smooth whisper of a finish.

Drinks: Snifter only, no water! Too delicate to stand up to much mixing for most bourbon drinks, use something heavier and beefier to mix with. Cigar: Good with a light-bodied cigar. Pick a good but not overpowering cigar (sorry, Opus) and enjoy.