Blade and Bow - An Alternative to Blanton’s?

Ever struggle to choose from the endless sea of bourbons? You're not alone. This month, I found myself drawn to Blade and Bow, thanks to a recommendation on our Facebook group and a bottle already gracing my shelf. Let's delve into this bourbon's history, unique aging process, and most importantly, its taste!

Born from Bourbon Royalty:

Blade and Bow is a grand product brought to us by legendary Stitzel-Weller Distillery in Louisville, Kentucky. The story behind this bourbon is very interesting! The legendary Stitzel-Weller Distillery began back in 1935. Once called an icon and home to the fathers of bourbon,

this distillery was open until 1992 when they stopped distilling.

This closure encourages us to take a deeper dive into the historic Stitzel-Weller.. The bourbon historians probably already knew this, but this historic distillery is famous for the brands of Old Fitzgerald, Pappy Van Winkle, Old Weller and Rebel Yell. Those are some BIG names! So, why close in 1992?

You wouldn’t think it possible today as it is increasingly harder to locate good juice, but bourbon has had its ups and downs over the decades. In the 80’s and 90s bourbon wasn’t as popular. There was too much bourbon and not enough demand! Hard to imagine, right? So, in 1992 Stitzel-Weller stopped distilling. The warehouses were continued to be used to age whiskey, but the stills were dismantled.

The Secret is in the Solera:

Thanks to the purchase by the big spirits owner Diageo, Blade and Bow began being distilled again in 2015. Each bottle of this bourbon includes old bourbon and new. They use a process called the Solera System aging process. According to the brand’s website, older bourbon is mingled with younger bourbons. They state that no barrel is ever fully drained to ensure that it is always present. This way the history is preserved in every bottle. In short, it’s complicated! Head over to their website to watch a video of the process and see if you better understand it!

Beyond Availability: Comparing Blade & Bow to Blanton's

The title of this review states that this might be a Blanton’s replacement? Blade and Bow is easier to locate than Blanton’s. It is also cheaper than Blanton’s at around $50 a bottle. We will get into the taste below, but another fun feature to Blanton’s is collecting each horse on the cork to try and spell its name sake. You have a similar experience with Blade and Bow. Each bottle of Blade and Bow comes with a Key. There are five numbered keys in all, some easier to locate than others. These keys represent the five steps of crafting bourbon; grains, yeast, fermentation, distillation and aging. Collect all five and you can be a member of the Five Keys Club! Maybe collecting Keys instead of horses could be a better game!

Unlocking the Secrets: A Tasting Journey

Now, the moment you've been waiting for – the tasting!  According to the website, “Blade and Bow has a subtle aroma of fresh fruit and a taste that includes hints of dried apricot, ripe pear and a sweet roasted grain.”  This bottle comes in at 45.5%. I typically enjoy my bourbon with a large cube, but I wanted to try this one in different ways to get the true experience! We will break this review down neat, splash and rocks. 

Neat:  First sip, wow! I was really hoping I would taste those notes mentioned on the website.  The word that quickly came to mind was, smooth!  I didn't taste any apricot, but to be fair I don't remember the last time I've had an apricot. The same thing could be said about the pear! The richness and smoothness of this bourbon make it a neat-sipping contender.

Splash of Water: I added just about five drops of water. The flavor was definitely altered, and in a very good way. These few drops of water, unlocked new depths, enhancing the smoothness and revealing subtle sweetness. Still no fruit notes for me, but someone with a better palate might be able to pick out some taste notes.

On the Rocks:  Now for the way I typically drink bourbon, on the rocks (or rock) in this case. I will admit, I was pretty surprised after my first sip. For those who prefer neat, you might not be shocked, but I actually enjoyed the taste of the neat version better than I do with the rock. The ice seemed to dilute the complexity and richness, but it's still a worthy choice for those who enjoy a chilled bourbon. Fruit notes remained elusive, but individual palates may differ.

The Verdict:

Blade & Bow is a fantastic bourbon, offering historical depth, smooth drinkability, and a unique aging process at a reasonable price. While it may not be a direct Blanton's replacement due to taste differences, it's definitely worth a try for curious bourbon enthusiasts. As you scan that bourbon aisle, look for the keys, instead of the horse!

Join the Conversation:

Blade and Bow is definitely a fantastic bourbon. Have you tried Blade & Bow? What were your tasting experiences? Share your tasting experience and thoughts in the comments section on the St. Charles Bourbon Society website. We would love to hear your thoughts. 

Thank you for reading! Sip Wiselee!