Blanton’s Showdown: USA vs. Japan – Which Single Barrel Reigns Supreme?

Sep 26

Blanton’s Showdown: USA vs. Japan – Which Single Barrel Reigns Supreme?

n this episode of Tortured Bourbon, we went global.

B, Heather, and our good friend Aaron sat down to answer a deceptively simple question: is Blanton’s Takara Red—the Japanese export—really better than the standard U.S. release?

Oh, and because Aaron doesn’t know how to arrive without causing chaos, he brought a surprise: Blanton’s Takara Black.

Yes. That Takara Black.

Let the showdown begin.

🥃 The Lineup:

Blanton’s Original (U.S. Release):
93 proof, Mash Bill #2 (Buffalo Trace’s high rye), classic caramel + spice profile.
Blanton’s Takara Red (Japanese Export):
Also 93 proof, also Mash Bill #2, but rumored to be a smoother, fruitier barrel selection curated for Japanese palates. Think dried fruit, tea, soft vanilla.
Blanton’s Takara Black (Surprise Bottle!):
Rarely seen in the U.S., this darker-labeled bottle brings deeper oak, savory tobacco, and mysterious vibes. MSRP in Japan? ~$100. U.S. secondary? Don’t ask.

📦 Packaging & Hype:

The Takara Red arrives in a gorgeous red box adorned with Japanese characters. The label is completely in Japanese. It feels like a collector’s item the moment you see it.

The Black? Ominous, elegant, and almost poetic. Heather found a tasting description that included the phrase:

“The dust on a pre-Prohibition bottle, taste of grandpa’s cigar captured in amber liquid…”

We don’t know what that means, but we drank it anyway.

🔍 Tasting Notes Breakdown:

Blanton’s Original:

Aroma: Caramel, oak, baking spice
Taste: Vanilla, apple, cinnamon, leather
Verdict: Easy to love. Classic. Still the bourbon world’s leather recliner.

Takara Red:

Aroma: Dried fruit, light honey, florals
Taste: Soft spice, black tea, gentle oak
Verdict: Elegant, smooth, layered. It’s Blanton’s on vacation in Tokyo.

Takara Black:

Aroma: Deep oak, cigar box, plum
Taste: Rich tobacco, herbal spice, stone fruit
Verdict: Mystery in a bottle. Complex and unforgettable.

🥇 Final Rankings (Spoiler-Free):

We did this one live, unscripted, and side-by-side.

No scores. No expectations. Just three pours, three palates, and a whole lot of opinions.

Was Takara Red better than the U.S. Original?

Did the Black steal the show?

You’ll have to watch the episode to find out.

🎥 Watch the Episode Now →

👉 https://youtu.be/hXJ988axMos

🎁 What This Episode Is Really About:

This wasn’t just about bourbon—it was about gift bottles, rare finds, and the joy of sharing something special. Aaron could’ve brought a salad. Instead, he brought unicorns.