Blanton's Takara Red - 2022

Blanton's Takara Red is a special edition of the celebrated Blanton's Single Barrel Bourbon, exclusively released for the Japanese market. Part of the Takara series, which also includes Takara Black and Takara Gold, this expression is highly sought after by bourbon enthusiasts and collectors around the world. Takara Red is distinguished by its unique characteristics, including an aging process that is rumored to be a minimum of eight years, although this is not officially confirmed on the label. It is bottled at 93 proof (46.5% ABV), the same as the standard Blanton's Single Barrel, ensuring a robust flavor profile. The packaging of Takara Red adds to its allure, featuring a distinctive red box with a woven texture and a deep maroon bag that contrasts with the brown bag of domestic Blanton's. The bottle is adorned with a gold-colored wax seal, similar to that found on Blanton's Straight From The Barrel. The label showcases light brown handwritten and printed portions, along with Japanese script spelling out "Whiskey," further emphasizing its exclusivity. The Takara Red series is particularly interesting for collectors due to its limited availability and the variations that can arise from individual barrel selections. Some special releases within this series, such as the HBA (Hotel Barmen Association Japan) Single Barrel picks, offer even more unique expressions. While many enthusiasts speculate about the potential superiority of the Takara series due to its rumored longer aging process, recent reviews suggest that modern releases may be more comparable in quality to standard Blanton's. Nevertheless, Takara Red remains a highly coveted expression in the bourbon world, often commanding premium prices on the secondary market.