An Introduction to Blanton’s Iconic Stoppers
Bourbon has a long, rich history in the United States. Each brand has its own unique origin story, process, and distinct identity. One of the best-known amongst Bourbon lovers is Blanton's.
Since its inception in 1985, Blanton’s has cultivated a cult following by putting out super premium bourbons with a distinctive bottle and stopper. The bottle is uniquely designed to showcase the craftsmanship that goes into creating the iconic Bourbon. Collecting Blanton’s Stoppers has become increasingly popular amongst serious whiskey collectors.
These collections and displays have taken the Bourbon world by storm, and for good reason! In this article, we will go over the history of Blanton’s, how the iconic stoppers came to be, topper collections and displays, and our own selection of handcrafted displays for the stoppers. Read on for an in-depth look at one of America’s most iconic whiskeys!
History of Blanton’s Bourbon
Unsurprisingly, Blanton’s Bourbon has an incredible origin story. Created in 1984 by Elmer T. Lee, Blanton’s was the first single barrel bourbon on the market. The story goes that a year before retirement, elder distiller Lee was tasked with the creation of an exceptionally high-quality Bourbon.
Lee drew the inspiration for this new bourbon from his earlier years working for a man named Col. Albert B. Blanton at a distillery known as Warehouse H. The story goes: When Blanton had high-profile guests to entertain, he would select a single “honey barrel” and have that whiskey bottled one barrel at a time.
This process produced a bourbon of exceptional quality, and it left a lasting impression on Lee. So much so that he named his new top shelf Bourbon Blanton’s after his former boss, and the rest is history.
Today, Blanton’s is produced at the Buffalo Trace Distillery, located in Frankfort, Kentucky. Though the years go by, the craftsmanship and expertise involved in producing Blanton’s Bourbon have not waned. Like a fine-aged spirit, it just keeps getting better as time moves along.
The Iconic Stopper Collection
Now for the most distinguished feature of Blanton’s Bourbon, the iconic stoppers! The stoppers, featuring a horse and jockey, were first introduced in 1999. The horse and jockey are meant to pay homage to Kentucky’s long heritage of horses and horse races.
Each stopper depicts the horse and jockey in various stages of a horse race, and each contains one of eight letters that, when put together, spell out “Blanton’s.”.
This unique feature has inspired many Bourbon aficionados to collect all eight stoppers and proudly display them as a testament to their dedication. Once a collector has achieved their goal of completing the set, the next step is to figure out how best to display their collection.
Our Blanton Displays Highlighted
At Barrel-Art, we love the tradition of the Blanton’s stoppers. We even have a few collections of our own displayed around the office! Our Blanton’s stopper displays are among some of our best-selling products. If you’re looking for the perfect display for your beloved collection, we’ve got you covered! Check out our selection of Blanton’s stopper displays.
Stopper displays are a fantastic way to add a touch of charm to your home or office space. Not only is it fun collecting, but they also become a wonderful addition to your decor.
Conclusion
Blanton’s represents some of the finest traditions in the long history of bourbon making. From their illustrious beginnings to the craftsmanship displayed on each bottle, Blanton’s is an incredible addition to the bourbon world. We are proud to create unique displays that allow our customers to show off their collection with style and efficiency.
The world of Bourbon is one that is rich with history and traditions. Blanton’s iconic bottle design and stoppers are one part of a vibrant community that we are proud to be a small part of. If you haven’t already, give Blanton’s a try the next time you’re in the mood for a smooth Bourbon. You may even be inspired to take up collecting the iconic stoppers.