Our friend, Nate, taught us about allocated bourbon this weekend, which refers to specific brands or batches of bourbon whiskey that are in high demand and have limited availability. Esteemed distilleries typically produce these sought-after bourbons, capturing the attention of whiskey enthusiasts and collectors alike. Allocated whiskey is available in very limited quantities. This list includes Bourbon, Rye, Single Barrel and Single Malt.
The term “allocated” implies that the distribution of these bourbons is restricted, often limited to select markets or specific channels. These bourbons are usually released periodically, with limited quantities allocated to various retailers or distributors. Due to their scarcity, finding them can be challenging, prompting enthusiasts to join waiting lists or participate in lotteries for a chance to purchase a coveted bottle.
Examples of allocated bourbons include renowned brands such as Pappy Van Winkle, Buffalo Trace Antique Collection, Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch, Heaven Hill Parker’s Heritage Collection, and Blantons. These bourbons receive critical acclaim for their exceptional quality, craftsmanship, and distinctive flavor profiles.
It’s worth noting that the availability and allocation of bourbons can vary yearly, with different regions having distinct allocations. Therefore, checking with local retailers or whiskey specialty stores is advisable to inquire about specifically allocated bourbons and their availability.
So, why do distilleries allocate their bourbon?
1. **Exclusivity and Demand:** Limited availability creates a sense of exclusivity, making allocated bourbons highly coveted among whiskey enthusiasts.
2. **Limited Supply:** Some bourbons are produced in limited quantities due to age requirements, production capacity, or ingredient availability. Distilleries allocate them to ensure fair distribution when demand exceeds supply.
3. **Quality Control:** Allocating bourbons helps distilleries maintain quality control by managing distribution and monitoring storage conditions, minimizing the risk of improper storage or counterfeit products.
4. **Brand Strategy:** Creating scarcity and desirability around a brand builds buzz and increases the perceived value of products. This exclusivity can foster brand loyalty and a dedicated following among enthusiasts.
5. **Market Demand Management:** Allocating bourbons allows distilleries to manage market demand and prevent shortages, ensuring a broader customer base has access to their products.
6. **Pricing Strategy:** Creating scarcity and high demand justifies premium prices for allocated bourbons, as enthusiasts are often willing to pay a premium for these highly sought-after bottles.
Allocation practices can vary among distilleries, and the specific reasons may differ from one brand to another. Generally, the goal is to balance supply and demand, maintain product quality, and establish a strong brand presence in the market.
Blanton’s
 |
|
| Type | Bourbon whiskey |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Sazerac Company |
| Country of origin | Kentucky, United States |
| Introduced | 1984 |
| Alcohol by volume | c. 46.50% (varies) |
| Proof (US) | 93 (Original), 80 (Special Reserve), 103 (Gold), Cask (Straight From the Barrel) |
| Related products | Buffalo Trace |
Blanton’s is a brand of bourbon whiskey produced and marketed by the Sazerac Company. Though it does not own the brand, it has exclusive distilling rights. It is owned by Age International, Inc.[1] It is distilled in Frankfort, Kentucky at the Buffalo Trace Distillery.
History
The Blanton’s brand was launched in 1984 under the guidance of the distillery’s master distiller Elmer T. Lee, as the first modern bourbon brand marketed as a single barrel bourbon.[2] The original brand name was “Blanton’s Single Barrel Bourbon”. A single barrel bourbon is one for which each bottling batch is produced from the contents of only one particular aging barrel – not mixed with whiskey from any other barrels (and not blended with neutral spirits, colorings, or flavorings). The company says that producing a high quality whiskey using this production method requires constant monitoring of every barrel in the middle of the warehouse by the Master Distiller. The barrels are dumped by hand without using machinery.[citation needed] There are eight different stopper designs, each with a different letter of the alphabet molded into it and topped with a figurine of a racehorse and jockey. When placed in order, spelling “B L A N T O N: S”, the horse and jockey’s poses display eight different scenes of a horse race, from standing at the gate, to crossing the finish line with a win.
Blanton’s Single Barrel Bourbon is typically aged for 6 to 8 years. It is aged in Warehouse H at Buffalo Trace, which is the only metal-cladded warehouse at Buffalo Trace and was commissioned for construction by one of the distillery’s early leaders, Albert B. Blanton, shortly after the end of the Prohibition era. Being metal, the warehouse transfers heat quicker than brick warehouses, which allows for more rapid aging.[3]
There are multiple different expressions of Blanton’s, each being a different proof. The original 93 proof Blanton’s was the only expression available in the United States until 2020. That year, Sazerac Company announced domestic annual limited releases of 103 proof Blanton’s Gold and cask proof Blanton’s Straight From the Barrel. [4] [5] Prior to these announcements, both Gold and Straight From the Barrel were available exclusively in select international markets.
Other export-only expressions are available in select international markets, including 80 proof Green Label Special Reserve, and the Japanese market’s 80 proof Black Label, 93 proof Takara Red and 103 proof Takara Gold, all of which are aged for an additional two years. From 2014 to 2018 a ‘Poland Limited Edition’ release was bottled for the M&P Wine and Spirits Festival in Raszyn, Poland. Since 2019, this has been marketed as a ‘Special Release’ available to select European markets and retailers. Moreover, an annual collaboration with Parisian Whisky retailer La Maison du Whisky has been released every year since 2006, with the inaugural bottling celebrating the 50th Anniversary of La Maison, presented at their Whisky Festival. [6] [7] [8]
Blanton’s bourbon was named in honor of one of the distillery’s early leaders, Albert B. Blanton, who the company claims spent most of his life preserving the tradition of handcrafted bourbon. Blanton worked at the facility now known as the Buffalo Trace Distillery for approximately 55 years. He was born and raised on a farm just outside Frankfort, Kentucky, and he began working at the distillery (then called the O.F.C. Distillery or Old Fire Copper Distillery)[9] in 1897 as an office boy when he was 16 years old.
