HISTORY OF BLANTON’S
Albert B. “Colonel” Blanton began working at the distillery in 1897 as a 16‑year‑old office boy and fast became a leading pioneer in the development of bourbon.
In 1921 he become company president. Under his leadership, the distillery expanded from 44 to 144 buildings and weathered major events like Prohibition, the Great Flood of 1937 and wartime production for WWII.
Blanton was known for selecting special “honey barrels” from Warehouse H to serve distinguished guests – an early form of the concept that would define his legacy.
In winter 1984, Master Distiller Elmer T. Lee, nearing retirement, introduced the world’s first modern Single Barrel Bourbon in honor of Colonel Blanton. Using barrels from Warehouse H, the same ones Blanton favored, Lee created a premium bourbon, bottled one barrel at a time.
Albert B. “Colonel” Blanton began working at the distillery in 1897 as a 16‑year‑old office boy and fast became a leading pioneer in the development of bourbon.
In 1921 he become company president. Under his leadership, the distillery expanded from 44 to 144 buildings and weathered major events like Prohibition, the Great Flood of 1937 and wartime production for WWII.
Blanton was known for selecting special “honey barrels” from Warehouse H to serve distinguished guests – an early form of the concept that would define his legacy.
In winter 1984, Master Distiller Elmer T. Lee, nearing retirement, introduced the world’s first modern Single Barrel Bourbon in honor of Colonel Blanton. Using barrels from Warehouse H, the same ones Blanton favored, Lee created a super-premium bourbon, bottled one barrel at a time.
