You've seen it. It’s sitting behind the bar, usually on the top shelf, looking more like a trophy than a bottle of booze. That distinct, faceted glass sphere topped with a metal figurine of a horse and jockey. People don't just call it "the whiskey with a horse on top"—they hunt for it. They hoard it. They trade it like underground currency.
Blanton’s Single Barrel Bourbon is technically just corn, rye, and malted barley aged in charred oak. But honestly? It’s a cultural phenomenon that has outpaced its own liquid.
If you’re just getting into bourbon, you might think the horse is just a gimmick. It isn't. It’s actually a brilliant piece of marketing history tied to a man named Colonel Albert B. Blanton, who used to hand-pick "honey barrels" for his private guests at what is now the Buffalo Trace Distillery. When Elmer T. Lee launched the brand in 1984, the world of whiskey was dying. Vodka was king. Bourbon was "old man" stuff. Blanton’s changed that by being the first ever single barrel bourbon sold commercially.
The horse wasn't even there at the start, at least not in the way we see it now. The collectibles came later.
What's Actually Up With the Horse on Top?
The metal stopper is the most recognizable part of the brand. There are eight different versions. Each one features a horse and jockey in a different stage of a race, from standing still at the gate to a full-out gallop to the "victory" pose.
Look closely at the back leg of the horse. You’ll see a tiny letter. S-T-A-T-E-S-M-A-N? No. It spells out B-L-A-N-T-O-N-S. If you collect all eight and line them up on a stave, you get the full cinematic motion of a Kentucky Derby winner. It’s addictive. People spend years trying to find the "N" (there are two of them, and they look slightly different) to finish their set.
Is the whiskey better because of the stopper? No. Does it make you feel like a high-roller when you pop that cork? Absolutely.
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The Buffalo Trace Connection and the Hype Machine
Blanton’s is produced at Buffalo Trace in Frankfort, Kentucky. This is the same distillery that makes Pappy Van Winkle, Eagle Rare, and Weller. Because of that pedigree, the "whiskey with a horse on top" gets caught in the same supply-and-demand cyclone.
Basically, the distillery can't make it fast enough.
They use "Mash Bill #2," which is their higher-rye recipe. It’s the same stuff used for Elmer T. Lee and Rock Hill Farms. While most bourbon sits in massive concrete warehouses, Blanton’s lives in Warehouse H. This is the only metal-clad warehouse at Buffalo Trace. Since metal conducts heat faster than brick or wood, the whiskey inside experiences more radical temperature swings. This forces the liquid in and out of the wood more aggressively.
That’s why it tastes like it does.
You get that heavy hit of vanilla. There’s a distinct citrus note—sort of like dried orange peel—and a finish that tastes like baking spices and caramel. It’s bottled at 93 proof, which is high enough to have some backbone but soft enough that your uncle who only drinks light beer won't cough his lungs out.
Why You Can Never Find It
The "whiskey with a horse on top" has become a victim of its own success. Ten years ago, you could walk into a liquor store in suburban Ohio and find three bottles sitting there for $50. Today? You have to know a guy. Or wait in a line at 6:00 AM. Or pay a $150 markup to a store owner who knows exactly what they have.
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It’s a "tater" magnet. In the whiskey world, a "tater" is someone who chases hype, overpays for bottles just for the "flex" on Instagram, and probably doesn't even drink the stuff.
Don't be that person.
The price is the biggest point of contention among enthusiasts. The MSRP (Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price) is usually around $60 to $70. If you find it for that, buy it. If a store is asking $200? Walk away. There are dozens of bourbons that taste just as good for $50—they just don't have the horse.
Spotting the Rare Versions
Most people only ever see the "Original Single Barrel" with the gold-ish label. But the rabbit hole goes way deeper.
- Blanton’s Gold: This has a gold horse and is bottled at 103 proof. For a long time, you could only get this overseas. It’s arguably the best version of the juice.
- Straight From The Barrel (SFTB): This is uncut and unfiltered. It’s a beast. The proof can swing anywhere from 120 to 135+. It’s intense, oily, and incredibly hard to find in the U.S.
- Special Reserve: This one has a green label and a lower proof (80). Honestly? Skip it unless you just want the bottle. It’s thin.
There are also store picks. Some liquor stores get to go to the distillery, taste a few barrels, and pick their favorite. These will have a special sticker on the side. These are almost always better than the standard release because a human actually tasted them and said, "Yeah, this one is special."
How to Actually Drink It
Look, drink it however you want. It’s your money.
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But if you want the "expert" experience, try it neat first in a Glencairn glass. Give it ten minutes to breathe. The air helps the ethanol settle down and lets the caramel notes come forward. A tiny drop of water—literally one drop—can open up the floral notes.
If you’re making a cocktail, maybe don't use Blanton’s. It’s a single barrel, meaning every bottle is slightly different. Using it in a whiskey sour where it's buried under lemon and sugar is kind of a waste of a hard-to-find bottle. Use Buffalo Trace or Old Forester for that.
Actionable Tips for the Whiskey Hunter
If you are dead-set on finding the whiskey with a horse on top without getting ripped off, stop checking the big box stores. Everyone goes there.
- Try the "Honey Hole": Look for smaller, dusty liquor stores in lower-traffic areas. Sometimes they have a bottle tucked away.
- Ask, don't look: Many stores keep Blanton's in the back for "loyal customers." Introduce yourself to the manager. Buy your regular beer or wine there. Build a relationship.
- Check the Dump Date: Every bottle of Blanton's has a hand-written date on the label. Many people try to find bottles "dumped" on their birthday, anniversary, or their child's birth date. It makes the horse bottle a much better gift.
- Don't ignore the alternatives: If you can't find it, buy a bottle of John J. Bowman Single Barrel. It’s made with the same distillate from Buffalo Trace but aged in Virginia. Most experts agree it’s just as good, if not better, and it’s usually sitting right there on the shelf.
The obsession with Blanton's isn't going away. Whether it's the thrill of the hunt for the eight stoppers or the genuine quality of the high-rye mash bill, the horse remains the undisputed king of the bourbon shelf. Just remember: it’s meant for drinking, not just for looking at. Open the bottle. Share it with a friend. That’s what the Colonel would have wanted.
Next Steps for the Collector
If you've managed to snag a bottle, check the "N" on your horse stopper. If it has a small colon (:) after the letter, it's the second N in the sequence. If you're looking to complete the set, you can actually buy a "Blanton’s Stave" from the distillery’s gift shop—or many Etsy sellers—which has pre-drilled holes for all eight stoppers. Once you finish a bottle, soak the stopper in hot water to remove any residual whiskey, dry it, and add it to your collection. It’s a much cheaper way to decorate your home bar than buying the full set on eBay for $500.