Blanton's Takara Red Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey (Japan Exclusive)

Blanton’s: An American Bourbon with a Japanese Connection!?

Even if you have never tasted Blanton’s, you have probably seen this American bourbon whiskey brand before. Each bottle of Blanton’s is a single barrel whiskey marked with its own dump date and barrel number. Together with its distinctive bottle shape and stopper design, Blanton’s has also made several appearances in the John Wick films.

Blanton’s was first introduced to the market in 1984 and is currently produced by Buffalo Trace Distillery, one of the major names in American whiskey. Interestingly, however, the brand is now owned by Japan’s Takara Holdings Inc. This traces back to when Takara fully acquired the Blanton’s brand and the distillery now known as Buffalo Trace. Takara later sold the distillery to Sazerac, Buffalo Trace’s parent company, while appointing Sazerac to continue producing Blanton’s and retaining ownership of the Blanton’s brand.

Blanton’s Takara Red is exclusively sold in the Japanese market, bottled at 46.50% ABV, the same strength as the regular Blanton’s Original. Many Blanton’s enthusiasts regard Takara Red as an enhanced version of the Original. The commonly cited difference is that Takara Red is said to be aged for two additional years, although this long-standing “urban legend” has never been officially confirmed.