1 | Spirits | Kentucky, $50 to $100

Selected directly from Warehouse H at the distillery, we get to choose our own barrels of Blanton's from a selection first narrowed down by Elmer T. Like Colonel Blanton himself, this whiskey is rich in character, depth, and elegance. A true classic is what we try to pick, one barrel at a time.

"Deep amber color. Spicy charred oak, sweet toffee, and pepper aromas. A rich entry leads to a dryish medium-to full-bodied palate with toffee, mocha, and white pepper flavors with a pronounced copper tang. Finishes with a sweet, charred barrel, brown, and metallic fade. An aggressive and spicy bourbon that will work nicely in a bourbon peach tea cocktail."

"Smells of sweet corn, buttered popcorn and pistachio nuts in the early stages; later whiffs pick up well-endowed scents of sautéed butter, oaky vanilla, beeswax and linseed oil. Palate entry is full-bodied, sweet and honeyed; at midpalate the taste profile turns drier, more intensely grainy-mashy and breakfast cereal-like. Finishes with notes of nougat, almonds, candy bar, and oak. Best Buy." 90-95 pts.

Barreled 10/24/00, Bottled 9/24/09. 35% Rye Mashbill, Delicate Fruity Yeast. 175 Bottles from Barrel KE 8-1C 53.8% abv

Barreled 1/31/00, Bottled 9/24/09. 35% Rye Mashbill, Rich, Fruity Yeast. 172 Bottles from Barrel GE 55-3C 56.4% abv

Barreled April 2002, Bottled August 2010. 20% Rye Mashbill. Floral Yeast. 194 Bottles from Barrel 18-3D