If you have ever been deep in Blanton’s game, you will have heard the name Blanton’s Special Reserve and wondered where it belongs in the lineup. 

It is not as well known as the Original Single Barrel, and certainly not as hyped as Gold Edition, but it sits in a unique niche within Blanton’s family that one needs to be aware of before deciding to track it down. 

This guide covers what Special Reserve actually is, what it tastes like, what it costs, and where you can realistically find a bottle.

What Is Blanton’s Special Reserve?

Blanton’s Special Reserve is a lighter 80 proof expression, which is a significant change from the Original 93 proof Single Barrel sold domestically in the U.S. Like all Blanton’s releases, it is sourced from the same location: Buffalo Trace Distillery’s Warehouse H – and made from the same mash bill, a high-rye recipe. 

The lower proof was originally created for export to other countries, specifically Europe and Asia, where lighter versions of these whiskeys are more popular, and in certain regions, taxed more favorably by alcohol content. 

Because of that lower proof, Blanton’s Special Reserve has earned a reputation as the most approachable bottle in the entire Blanton’s catalog. It’s often described as a gateway bottle, something for drinkers who want the Blanton’s name and the single barrel pedigree without the intensity of higher-proof releases.

Red Label vs Green Label: What’s the Difference?

Here’s where things get a little confusing, because Special Reserve doesn’t come in just one version.

Blanton’s Special Reserve Green Label

The more common version is the Blanton’s Special Reserve Green Label, usually found in European markets. It is bottled at 80 proof and is lighter, citrus-driven, honey-forward, with a minimal amount of oak. Flavor is good but definitely thinner than regular Blanton’s due to the lower ABV.

Blanton’s Special Reserve Red Label

Blanton’s Special Reserve Red Label is more common with Japanese market releases. The general DNA remains the same, but in our experience, the red label is a bit more honey-like, with soft toffee and gentle spice. Some retailers note it carries a touch more richness than the green label, though both are clearly built from the same family recipe.

Common Characteristics

Neither version strays far from the Blanton’s identity. You’ll recognize the vanilla, caramel, and light oak signature in both, just dialed back compared to what you’d get from the 93-proof domestic release.

Blanton’s Special Reserve Review: What to Expect in the Glass

When it comes to any honest Blanton’s Special Reserve review, it’s a brew that’s easy on the palate and enjoyable to drink, but not quite as deep and powerful as the brand is well known for.

Green apple, citrus zest, honey, and a light oakiness are generally the nose characteristics. The flavor profile will include honey, vanilla, and light caramel with a hint of black pepper. Finish is short to medium and is often fresh cut grass or new wood instead of the warm, lingering finish of the Original.

Well, it’s fair to set expectations accordingly. This isn’t meant to compete with the higher-proof expressions on intensity. It’s designed for easy pouring, and for mixing up a cocktail, too, as the brand has proposed with this release. 

If you are expecting something similar, but smoother, due to the standard Blanton’s, the difference in body and complexity may surprise you. 

Blantons Special Reserve Price: Is It Worth What You’ll Pay?

This is where the conversation gets a little more pointed. The standard Original Single Barrel pour is noticeably less for a higher pour, yet at U.S. retailers that carry imported stock, Blanton’s Special Reserve Price lies in the $100-$120 range, a rather steep price call for an 80 proof pour of bourbon. 

The price reflects scarcity more than anything else. Since Special Reserve is an export-only release, anything available in the U.S. has typically been re-imported, which adds cost. 

For collectors trying to complete a full Blanton’s “vertical,” meaning every label and proof point in the lineup, that price is often worth paying just to round out the collection. For someone purely chasing flavor, it’s a harder sell at that price point compared to other options in the brand’s catalog.

You can check current availability and pricing directly through Blanton’s Special Reserve at A Liquor, where stock and pricing are kept up to date rather than relying on guesswork.

Where Is Blanton’s Special Reserve Sold?

A common question, understandably, is where Blanton’s Special Reserve is sold, since it doesn’t show up on standard U.S. liquor store shelves the way Original Single Barrel does. 

The Special Reserve was designed specifically for export markets; most of the supply goes to Europe, Asia, and other overseas destinations and not domestic distribution networks. 

Most bottles available in the U.S. have been re-imported by retailers or secondary sellers specifically to meet demand from collectors. That’s a meaningfully different supply chain than the rest of the Blanton’s lineup, so don’t expect to stumble across it at a typical liquor store the way you might with the Original.

How It Compares to the Rest of the Lineup

If you’ve already read up on Blanton’s Gold vs regular, Special Reserve adds a third data point to that comparison, sitting at the opposite end of the proof spectrum. 

But where Gold Edition ups it to 103 proof, Special Reserve dials it back to 80; it’s one of the biggest proof ranges in any one brand’s line of offerings. It’s really useful if you’re interested in discovering how proof can transform the nature of a bourbon, while maintaining the same basic barrel program. 

To see how Special Reserve stacks up against Gold Edition, Straight from the Barrel, and the Original side by side, browse the full Blanton’s collection at A Liquor.

Final Verdict

Blanton’s Special Reserve is not a high-proof pour clone, and it doesn’t claim to be. It is a lighter, more mainstream one for a different kind of drinker, or perhaps for those who are completing a set. If it’s available and there’s a reasonable price, try it at least once to see how much it tastes different at 80 proof compared to 93 or 90+ proof. 

For everything else in the Blanton’s range, or to explore other single barrel bourbons at similar price points, check out A Liquor’s bourbon selection before deciding which bottle earns a spot on your shelf next.