Compare
Blanton’s Single Barrel vs Horse Soldier Barrel Strength
Blanton’s Single Barrel and Horse Soldier Barrel Strength sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an old-guard, rye-forward classic versus an uncut, wheat-forward heavyweight.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Blanton’s Single Barrel | Horse Soldier Barrel Strength |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 15% rye, 10% malted barley | 70% corn, 20% wheat, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 93 proof (46.5% ABV) | 111 proof (55.5% ABV) +18 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$80 – $150 | ~$78 – $85 ~$34 less |
| Availability | Allocated | Widely available easier to find |
- Blanton’s Single Barrel and Horse Soldier Barrel Strength do not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Blanton’s Single Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Horse Soldier Barrel Strength
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Blanton’s Single Barrel Horse Soldier Barrel Strength
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 4/7 heat: Blanton’s Single Barrel 4 out of 10, Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 7 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Blanton’s Single Barrel 6 out of 10, Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 7 out of 10
spice 6/5 spice: Blanton’s Single Barrel 6 out of 10, Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 5 out of 10
fruit 6/5 fruit: Blanton’s Single Barrel 6 out of 10, Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 5 out of 10
oak 6/6 oak: Blanton’s Single Barrel 6 out of 10, Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Blanton’s Single Barrel 3 out of 10, Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land very differently on the palate for heat.
- Blanton’s Single Barrel: The bottle that invented the single-barrel category and still trades largely on its horse-stopper cork and its scarcity. The whiskey itself is genuinely good — honeyed and citrus-led with nutmeg spice — but at secondary prices you are paying for the bottle as much as the pour.
- Horse Soldier Barrel Strength: A barrel-strength wheater from the veteran-founded Horse Soldier brand. Brown sugar and toasted oak lead, baking spice and heat follow, and a splash of water pulls out darker fruit.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Blanton’s Single Barrel if you want the original single-barrel presentation and a honeyed, citrus-led profile, and the hunt is part of the appeal.
- Go with Horse Soldier Barrel Strength if you want a big, barrel-strength wheated bourbon with plenty of brown sugar and warmth at a significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Blanton’s Single Barrel); neat, old-fashioned (Horse Soldier Barrel Strength).