Blanton’s is one of those bourbons almost everyone wants to try.
It looks great, it has a strong story, and at its best, it delivers a rich, balanced profile that is easy to like. The problem is getting hold of it. And when you do, the price rarely feels justified unless you believe that the hunt is part of the thrill.
So I asked bourbon lover and former Whisky Shop manager, Phil Dwyer, a simple question: if you like Blanton’s, what should you actually be buying instead?
Not obscure bottles or gimmicks. Just genuinely better value options that deliver as much, or more, in the glass.
These are the five he would reach for.
Evan Williams Single Barrel – 43.3% ABV, $30
Evan Williams Single Barrel offers something familiar if you are coming from Blanton’s.
As a single barrel bourbon, like Blanton’s, each bottle has its own character, and there is a sense of variation that keeps it interesting without becoming unpredictable.
Phil’s take was simple. If you like the idea of Blanton’s, this gives you a similar experience without the inflated price.
In the glass, it is soft and approachable. You get caramel and vanilla up front, followed by light oak, a touch of citrus, nuttiness, and a gentle spice on the finish. It is not as rich or concentrated as Blanton’s, but it is balanced and easy to drink.
Where it wins is value. At around $30, it delivers the single barrel concept without the pressure of scarcity or collectability. You can open it, enjoy it, and replace it without much thought. A much more practical choice.
Phil said of the bourbon: “A genuinely delicious bourbon that can give many Blanton’s single barrel releases a serious run for their money.”
Very Old Barton – 50% ABV, $11
Very Old Barton is about as unfussy as bourbon gets.
There is no hype around it, no elaborate packaging, and no sense that it is trying to be anything other than a solid, traditional Kentucky bourbon. When Phil mentioned it, it was not as a hidden gem, just a bottle he returns to because it consistently overdelivers.
At 50% ABV, it carries more weight than you would expect at this price. You get caramel and vanilla up front, a slightly nutty note, and enough oak and spice to give it structure.
Phil also noted the similarities in profile to Blanton’s: “It is a truly mouth-watering style of bourbon that can rival Blanton’s signature orange oil and sweet buttered popcorn character.”
You are not buying this for collectability or single barrel nuance. You are buying it because it’s really good value for money. At the time of writing, Hi Proof is offering this at just $11 for a 750ml bottle. Can you really go wrong at that price?
Four Roses Single Barrel – 50% ABV, $43
Anybody who has spoken to Phil before will be unsurprised that this made the list. A self-confessed Four Roses superfan, Phil said, “Four Roses is a brilliant distillery with a genuinely fascinating approach to whiskey-making.”
The single barrel expression is where things start to step up in intensity.
This is still a widely available bottle, but it brings a level of structure and character that pushes beyond what many expect at this price point. It is built around one of Four Roses’ ten recipes, giving it a distinct profile rather than a blended house style.
There is a clear thread of dark fruit running through it, backed by caramel, baking spice, and a slightly floral edge. The higher ABV gives it more grip on the palate, with a longer, more assertive finish.
At a price that has remained pretty consistent over recent years, you get a bourbon with drive and individuality. It is expressive, buttery, and delicious.
If Blanton’s is about balance, this is about character.
Russell’s Reserve 10 Year Old – 45% ABV, $48
Russell’s Reserve 10 Year Old is a little powerhouse.
Instead of leaning on single barrel variation or higher strength, it focuses on age and consistency. This is a carefully constructed bourbon with a full decade in cask, and that maturity shows.
Phil admitted to me that he waited far too long to try this bourbon, especially given his love for Wild Turkey.
“I feel a genuine sense of regret for not adding this to my shelf years ago, but now that I have, I understand precisely what makes this bourbon such a well-regarded classic. It is a bottle I find myself reaching for time and again.”
The profile is classic Wild Turkey. Rich toffee, vanilla, and oak sit alongside a gentle spice and a slightly dry, structured finish. There is a sense of integration that only comes with time, everything feels settled and cohesive.
Compared to Blanton’s, it is less about standout moments and more about balance over time.
At around $48, you are getting a 10-year-old bourbon that is easy to find and consistently delivers. There is no hunt, no variability, and no need to second-guess the purchase.
It is a quieter choice, but arguably the more dependable one.
Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Barrel Proof – ~64–70% ABV, $50
This is where Phil deliberately steps outside the rules.
Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Barrel Proof is not technically a bourbon. It is a Tennessee whiskey, filtered through charcoal before aging. But in the glass, that distinction matters far less than you might think.
Phil included it because of one thing: impact.
At barrel proof, this is a completely different experience from Blanton’s. The higher strength brings intensity, texture, and a depth of flavour that standard releases rarely match.
You get bold notes of caramel, toasted oak, banana, dark sugar, and spice, all amplified by the ABV. It is powerful, but not unbalanced. With a little water, it opens up and becomes surprisingly layered. Phil said, “It feels heavy and dense, and despite the strength, the sweetness that comes through is extraordinary.”
Where Blanton’s is refined and approachable, this is big and expressive.
At around $50, it offers a level of flavour concentration that is hard to ignore. It may not fit neatly into the bourbon category, but as Phil pointed out, if you are chasing flavour rather than labels, it earns its place here.
Which Should You Try First?
It depends on what you are looking for.
If you want the closest alternative in style, Evan Williams Single Barrel is the easy starting point.
If value is the priority, Very Old Barton is hard to ignore.
If you want more character, Four Roses Single Barrel stands out.
If you prefer something mature and consistent, Russell’s Reserve 10 Year Old is the safe choice.
And if you want intensity, Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Barrel Proof delivers it in full.
Blanton’s may still be the reference point. But for everyday drinking, these are the bottles Phil would reach for instead.
Read the full article at 5 Whiskeys Better Than Blanton’s (That Are Actually Easy to Find)
