Colour: Copper amber. Nose: Consistent, delicate. Cereals, spices (pepper, groove), and citrus fruits (orange). Palate: Full, creamy. The raised vanilla of caramel notes. Ripe fruits and heady flowers. Soft spices. Finish: Long and spiced (clove). Notes of star anise and mentholated freshness. Blanton's was the first ever Single Barrel Bourbon in the world, and it set the standards for others to follow. This fantastic product was named after the late Colonel Albert Bacon Blanton (1881-1959), who managed the largest distillery of its day. It was during that time that he created a very special and limited supply of bourbon, which he hand-picked and stored in what now is known as the famous Warehouse H. Blanton's Original Single Barrel Bourbon is aged in one new American oak barrel for at least 8 years, unlike most others, never blended with any other bourbon. When a barrel is believed to have reached its optimum age, it is evaluated by the Master Distiller and a panel of professional tasters. There is no margin for error, because there is no way to compensate for flavour by mixing with any other liquid. The barrels that have been chosen are then dumped and bottled. From the beginning to end, making Blanton's is a labour intensive process. Grains: Blanton's is made by using the finest Kentucky and Indiana corn, selected rye, and superior malted barley. Grains must be carefully milled (crushed) to exactly the right specifications. The milled corn is added to the pressure cooker with Kentucky limestone water. When the corn and the lime stone water reach the right temperature, it is time to add the rye and the barley malt, which breaks down starch into sugar. Yeast is added after the mash has cooled. Blanton's, at this point, undergoes a natural fermentation lasting from three to five days and becomes beer. This beer is transferred to a still. The steam that is pumped from the bottom of the still interacts with the falling beer, creating an alcohol-rich vapour. The vapour is condensed and passed through a second still, known as the doubler, to produce a crystal clear liquid. The liquid is placed into newly charred, virgin white oak barrels. To be called Bourbon, it must meet the following specifications: 1. Be stored in newly charred oak barrels 2. Be stored at least two years (if less than two years it must state on the label) 3. Can't have colour or flavour added 4. Barrels can be used only once (most used barrels are sold to Scotch or other non-bourbon malers). These full barrels now weighing 500-plus pounds, are placed in century old warehouse H and left for six to eight, but no more than ten, years. Only the Master Distiller can tell the right time to bring Blanton's out of the warehouse for dumping. When the Master Distiller selects the barrels, they are brought to the bottling house to be bottled. Blanton's has the most labour intensive bottling line in the bourbon business. The process is all by hand: hand filled, hand sealed (stopper and wax), and hand applied label, hand numbered (each and every bottle).

"So, if you're wondering who the absolute go-to Blantons - Original 70cl Bottle stockists are across the UK, it’s a pretty varied bunch, but some names just consistently pop up everywhere. You've got the ever-reliable high street stalwarts like John Lewis, which is basically synonymous with quality and service, and M&S, still a huge hit for everything from undies to ready meals, even if it feels a bit more fashion-focused now. Then there’s Next, always a big player for clothing and homeware, known for its speedy delivery catalogue days and solid presence. Don’t forget Boots and Superdrug for health and beauty – they're practically on every corner! For the more budget-conscious, Primark is an undeniable powerhouse, pulling in crowds for cheap and cheerful fashion, and TK Maxx is a treasure hunt dream for brand discounts. And let's not overlook the big supermarkets; Tesco and Sainsbury's aren't just for groceries anymore, offering massive ranges of clothing, electronics, and homeware, making them incredibly popular one-stop shops for pretty much everything. It really just depends on what you're after, but those are definitely some of the major players dominating the retail scene. " - Bargainplace UK

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