Store Picks: Blanton’s Single Barrel – Chris Gasbarro Pick

Pick Information - This offering was chosen by Chris Gasbarro and his famous palate. This pick is 93 proof and was aged in rick house H, rick number 5. This is barrel number 38. The whiskey is a little over 7 years old.

Color – Nice copper color to it

Nose – First nosing I get a lot of cinnamon and baking spice. When I go back for a second nosing I get some great toffee notes as well.

Palate – Caramel, baking spice on the front of the palate. On the back end I get the cinnamon from the nose as well as oak and some black pepper.

Finish - Medium mouthfeel gives way to a nice spicy finish with a little hug on the back end from the alcohol proof.

Wallet – These pics range from $69-$79 which is basically on par with the normal variant of Blanton’s. Blanton’s is already a single barrel so you can have drastic flavor profiles from different bottles of the regular offering. For me, if given the choice of normal offering versus single barrel pick and the price is the same, I go with the private barrel pick.

Head to Head – Due to the fact all Blanton’s are single barrels, it is hard to make a comparison between the Gasbarro pick and others as they are all different. I will say the advantage here goes to Chris’s pick which is a direct reflection of his palate.

Bourbon Wes says – Very good pick as always by Chris. I like this pick as it was on the spicier side with just enough sweetness to counter act it. If you find ANY private barrel selections by Chris Gasbarro make sure you pick them up and thank me later.

Rating (tasting notes + price point + uniqueness) – I would rate this store pick a 7.5 out of 10.

Wes Hardin

You can find me on Instagram @bourbon_wes and Twitter @BourbonWes

Store picks and barrel selections are popping up at liquor stores, hotels, restaurants, bars, and bourbon clubs and we would love to review your barrel selections in this column.

If you have a sample you would like me to review here, please shoot me a message on Instagram @bourbon_wes or email me at whardin73@gmail.com

Ratings System: 1-2 – Would not suggest to anyone. Literally not drinkable neat.

            3-5 - Solid pour but not considered special. Would not purchase second bottle

          6-8 - Excellent pour. Robust, interesting, and different compared to regular offering.

          9-10 - Outstanding. Hunt for multiple bottles. On par with allocated releases.