Blanton's Single Barrel Red Takara Japanese Edition Bourbon

Product Description

Blanton's Red Takara: An 8-Year Japan-Exclusive Treasure

Blanton's Single Barrel Red Takara Japanese Edition is an ultra-rare export release crafted exclusively for the Japanese market. "Takara" means "treasure" in Japanese, and while the word isn't officially part of the bottle's name, it appears in Japanese characters on the neck label, distinguishing this release from the domestic Original Single Barrel. First introduced in 1990, it was the original Takara-designation release, later joined by Black and Gold. Like every Blanton's expression, it traces back to 1984 and Colonel Albert B. Blanton, who introduced the world's first modern single barrel bourbon.

How Blanton's Red Takara Is Made

Distilled from Buffalo Trace's Mash Bill #2, an undisclosed higher-rye recipe, this bourbon is drawn from a single barrel in the historic Warehouse H, the same section Colonel Blanton personally selected for his own private reserve barrels. Red Takara is aged approximately two years longer than the domestic release, resulting in an 8-year-old bourbon rather than the standard 6-year expression, and it's bottled at 93 proof (46.5% ABV), noticeably higher than the more approachable Black Takara.

Tasting Notes

Nose: Deep and powerful, with vanilla, chocolate fudge, and cherry pipe tobacco, alongside caramel, honey, orange peel, and light floral notes.

Palate: A deeper, richer version of core Blanton's, with creamy brown butter and clove opening into marmalade, toffee, wild honey, leather, orange crush, black tea, and tannic oak.

Finish: Long, mellow, and polished, with lingering citrus zest, light cinnamon spice, oak, and soft sweetness.

Food Pairings

The chocolate fudge and marmalade character in Red Takara pairs well with dark chocolate, an orange-glazed duck, or aged cheddar. Its tobacco and clove notes also complement a good cigar or roasted pecans.

Serving Suggestions

Blanton's Red Takara is best enjoyed neat, letting its extra two years of aging and layered oak character fully unfold. Given its rarity and collector appeal, it's a bottle built for slow sipping rather than mixing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does "Takara" mean? "Treasure" in Japanese, referencing this bottle's status as a rare, Japan-exclusive Blanton's release.

How is Red Takara different from Black Takara? Red is bottled at a higher 93 proof, while Black is bottled at a lower 80 proof, giving Red a bolder, more intense profile.

How long is this bourbon aged? Approximately 8 years, about two years longer than the domestic Original Single Barrel.

Explore More

Looking for more from this legendary single barrel bourbon brand? Shop the full Blanton's collection for the Original Single Barrel, Black Takara, and Gold Edition, or browse our complete Bourbon collection for more single barrel releases.

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