{"product_id":"blantons-black-takara-gold-pair","title":"Blanton's Black and Takara Gold — Japan-Market Single Barrel Bourbon Pair, 80 and 103 Proof, 2 × 750 mL","description":"\u003cstyle\u003e\n.mw-master-container{\n  --mw-accent: #f1dc9d;   \/* metallic foil *\/\n  --mw-glow:   #d17610;   \/* power color *\/\n  --mw-glow-ink: #aa5d11;   \/* glow deepened for text on the light ground *\/\n  --mw-accent-ink: #896b4f;   \/* accent deepened for links on the light ground *\/\n  --mw-accent-lift: #f1dc9d;   \/* accent lifted for the spec-table header on its glow tint (library v3.2) *\/\n  --mw-dark:   #3a1514;   \/* deep ground *\/\n  --mw-bg:     #faf6f0;   \/* light ground *\/\n  --mw-panel:  #f7ecde; --mw-hair: #f1dabf; --mw-card: #ffffff;\n  --mw-ink: #491f14; --mw-body: #5b2a13; --mw-muted: #836a68;\n  --mw-dhair: #673213; --mw-dtext: #faf6f0; --mw-dbody: #f3e2cc; --mw-dmuted: #f1dc9d;\n  font-family:inherit; background:var(--mw-bg); color:var(--mw-ink);\n  line-height:1.7; padding:0 0 80px 0; 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}\n.mw-master-container details[open] summary::after{ content:'\\2212'; }\n.mw-master-container .details-content{ padding:0 20px 20px 20px; font-size:0.95rem; color:var(--mw-body); }\n.mw-master-container .mw-q{ font-size:0.95rem; font-weight:bold; color:var(--mw-ink); margin-top:16px; }\n.mw-master-container .details-content .mw-q:first-child{ margin-top:0; }\n\n.mw-master-container .mw-list{ padding-left:20px; font-size:0.95rem; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-hero-rule{ margin-top:56px; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-signoff{ margin-top:80px; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-signoff .mw-rule{ margin-top:0; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-signoff .mw-tag-a{ color:var(--mw-glow-ink); }\n.mw-master-container .mw-signoff .mw-tag-m{ color:var(--mw-muted); }\n.mw-master-container .mw-signoff-row{ display:flex; justify-content:space-between; align-items:baseline;\n  gap:16px; flex-wrap:wrap; padding-top:20px; }\n@media (max-width:768px){\n  .mw-master-container .mw-wrap{ padding:0 24px; }\n  .mw-master-container .mw-points{ grid-template-columns:1fr; }\n}\n\u003c\/style\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"mw-master-container\"\u003e\n\n  \u003cdiv class=\"mw-hero\"\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"mw-wrap\"\u003e\n      \u003cdiv class=\"mw-topbar\"\u003e\n        \u003cspan class=\"mw-tag mw-tag-a\"\u003eMidnight Whiskey · The Vault\u003c\/span\u003e\n        \u003cspan class=\"mw-tag mw-tag-m\"\u003eTwo Bottles · Japan-Market Pair\u003c\/span\u003e\n      \u003c\/div\u003e\n      \u003cdiv class=\"mw-masthead\"\u003e\n        \u003cp class=\"mw-kicker\"\u003eBlanton's Gift Sets · Assembled by Midnight Whiskey\u003c\/p\u003e\n        \u003ch2 class=\"mw-title\"\u003eBlack and Takara Gold\u003c\/h2\u003e\n        \u003cdiv class=\"mw-city-title\"\u003e80 Proof to 103\u003c\/div\u003e\n        \u003cp class=\"mw-subline\"\u003eBlanton's Black (80 Proof) and Blanton's Takara Gold (103 Proof) · 2 × 750 mL · The Two Ends of Takara Shuzo's Unrestricted Range\u003c\/p\u003e\n      \u003c\/div\u003e\n      \u003cdiv class=\"mw-rule mw-hero-rule\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n      \u003cdiv class=\"mw-stats\"\u003e\n        \u003cdiv class=\"mw-stat\"\u003e\n          \u003cdiv class=\"mw-stat-n\"\u003e2\u003c\/div\u003e\n          \u003cdiv class=\"mw-stat-l\"\u003eBottles\u003c\/div\u003e\n        \u003c\/div\u003e\n        \u003cdiv class=\"mw-stat\"\u003e\n          \u003cdiv class=\"mw-stat-n\"\u003e80 \/ 103\u003c\/div\u003e\n          \u003cdiv class=\"mw-stat-l\"\u003eProof\u003c\/div\u003e\n        \u003c\/div\u003e\n        \u003cdiv class=\"mw-stat\"\u003e\n          \u003cdiv class=\"mw-stat-n\"\u003e40 \/ 51.5\u003csmall\u003e%\u003c\/small\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n          \u003cdiv class=\"mw-stat-l\"\u003eABV\u003c\/div\u003e\n        \u003c\/div\u003e\n        \u003cdiv class=\"mw-stat\"\u003e\n          \u003cdiv class=\"mw-stat-n\"\u003e2 × 750\u003csmall\u003e mL\u003c\/small\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n          \u003cdiv class=\"mw-stat-l\"\u003eFormat\u003c\/div\u003e\n        \u003c\/div\u003e\n        \u003cdiv class=\"mw-stat\"\u003e\n          \u003cdiv class=\"mw-stat-n\"\u003eJapan\u003c\/div\u003e\n          \u003cdiv class=\"mw-stat-l\"\u003eMarket\u003c\/div\u003e\n        \u003c\/div\u003e\n        \u003cdiv class=\"mw-stat\"\u003e\n          \u003cdiv class=\"mw-stat-n\"\u003eTakara Shuzo\u003c\/div\u003e\n          \u003cdiv class=\"mw-stat-l\"\u003eImporter\u003c\/div\u003e\n        \u003c\/div\u003e\n      \u003c\/div\u003e\n      \u003cdiv class=\"speakable\"\u003e\n        \u003cp class=\"mw-lede\"\u003eTwo bottles, twenty-three proof points apart: Blanton's Black at 80 proof (40% ABV) and the Gold Edition collectors call Takara Gold at 103 proof (51.5% ABV), the lowest and the highest of the three Blanton's Takara Shuzo sells in Japan without a sales-route mark. Midnight Whiskey pairs one of each, 750 mL single barrels from Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky, in their cartons.\u003c\/p\u003e\n      \u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n  \u003cdiv class=\"mw-wrap mw-section\"\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"mw-chap\"\u003e\n      \u003cspan class=\"mw-chap-no\"\u003eNº 01\u003c\/span\u003e\n      \u003ch2 class=\"mw-h3\"\u003eThe Elemental Distinction\u003c\/h2\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"mw-points\"\u003e\n      \u003cdiv class=\"mw-point\"\u003e\n        \u003cb\u003e01\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTwenty-three proof points.\u003c\/strong\u003e 80 and 103: the lowest and the highest of the three Blanton's Takara lists without a sales-route mark, with the 46.5% Blanton's between them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n      \u003c\/div\u003e\n      \u003cdiv class=\"mw-point\"\u003e\n        \u003cb\u003e02\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Original's recipe at a greater proof, Buffalo Trace says.\u003c\/strong\u003e Buffalo Trace describes the Gold Edition as the second Blanton's created, after the Original, from the same recipe with the proof raised; Takara lists its Gold at 51.5%.\u003c\/p\u003e\n      \u003c\/div\u003e\n      \u003cdiv class=\"mw-point\"\u003e\n        \u003cb\u003e03\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBlack is Blanton's, made milder.\u003c\/strong\u003e Takara describes Black as Blanton's in taste and aroma, finished somewhat milder so that more people can enjoy it, and lists it at 40%.\u003c\/p\u003e\n      \u003c\/div\u003e\n      \u003cdiv class=\"mw-point\"\u003e\n        \u003cb\u003e04\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGold horse, maroon wax.\u003c\/strong\u003e The horse and jockey on the Gold Edition is gold in colour, Buffalo Trace says; on the bottle Takara imports it sits under maroon wax, beneath a neck label reading Blanton's Gold Edition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n      \u003c\/div\u003e\n      \u003cdiv class=\"mw-point\"\u003e\n        \u003cb\u003e05\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBlack on black.\u003c\/strong\u003e Black's label is black and lettered in gold, its wax is black, and its carton is black, with Takara Shuzo Co., Ltd. on the back panel.\u003c\/p\u003e\n      \u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n  \u003cdiv class=\"mw-dark-band\"\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"mw-wrap\"\u003e\n      \u003cdiv class=\"mw-chap\"\u003e\n        \u003cspan class=\"mw-chap-no\"\u003eNº 02\u003c\/span\u003e\n        \u003ch2 class=\"mw-h3\"\u003eThe Ends of Takara's Open Range\u003c\/h2\u003e\n        \u003cspan class=\"mw-chap-r\"\u003e40% · 51.5%\u003c\/span\u003e\n      \u003c\/div\u003e\n      \u003cp class=\"mw-bodycopy\"\u003eOf the four Blanton's Takara Shuzo lists for Japan, three carry no sales-route mark: Black at 40%, Blanton's at 46.5% and Gold at 51.5%, each 750 mL in carton; the fourth, Straight From The Barrel at 66%, Takara marks for designated sales routes. This pair holds the first and third. Takara was selling Gold in Japan by April 2015, five years before Buffalo Trace announced it for the United States, on February 27, 2020, as a once-a-year release, calling it the second Blanton's created after Elmer T. Lee's 1984 Original and the same recipe at a greater proof. Blanton's own range page lists four bottlings and marks its 80-proof one, Special Reserve, as not available in the United States.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n  \u003cdiv class=\"mw-wrap mw-section\"\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"mw-chap\"\u003e\n      \u003cspan class=\"mw-chap-no\"\u003eNº 03\u003c\/span\u003e\n      \u003ch2 class=\"mw-h3\"\u003eIn the Set\u003c\/h2\u003e\n      \u003cspan class=\"mw-chap-r\"\u003eTwo bottles, two labels\u003c\/span\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"mw-casks\"\u003e\n      \u003cdiv class=\"mw-cask\"\u003e\n        \u003cdiv class=\"mw-cask-k\"\u003e80 proof · 40% ABV · 750 mL\u003c\/div\u003e\n        \u003ch3\u003eBlanton's Black\u003c\/h3\u003e\n        \u003cp\u003eTakara's ブラントン ブラック. Black label lettered in gold, reading Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey; the barrel record states individually selected, filtered and bottled by hand at 80 proof. Black wax over the stopper, and a black carton with Takara Shuzo Co., Ltd. on its back panel.\u003c\/p\u003e\n      \u003c\/div\u003e\n      \u003cdiv class=\"mw-cask\"\u003e\n        \u003cdiv class=\"mw-cask-k\"\u003e103 proof · 51.5% ABV · 750 mL\u003c\/div\u003e\n        \u003ch3\u003eBlanton's Takara Gold\u003c\/h3\u003e\n        \u003cp\u003eTakara's ブラントン ゴールド: the Gold Edition for Japan. Neck label Blanton's Gold Edition, as on the American bottle; maroon wax over a gold horse and jockey; a gold carton. The collectors' name is printed nowhere.\u003c\/p\u003e\n      \u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n  \u003cdiv class=\"mw-dark-band\"\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"mw-wrap\"\u003e\n      \u003cdiv class=\"mw-chap\"\u003e\n        \u003cspan class=\"mw-chap-no\"\u003eNº 04\u003c\/span\u003e\n        \u003ch2 class=\"mw-h3\"\u003eSensory Profile \u0026amp; Strategy\u003c\/h2\u003e\n        \u003cspan class=\"mw-chap-r\"\u003eDistiller notes \u0026amp; position\u003c\/span\u003e\n      \u003c\/div\u003e\n      \u003cdiv class=\"mw-acts speakable\"\u003e\n        \u003cdiv class=\"mw-act\"\u003e\n          \u003cdiv class=\"mw-act-n\"\u003eI\u003c\/div\u003e\n          \u003ch3\u003eSensory Profile\u003c\/h3\u003e\n          \u003cp\u003eTwo notes from Takara Shuzo's lineup page. Black: cedar on the nose, vanilla on the palate — faint florals, cedar and raisin folded into soft vanilla, a light, airy entry, then vanilla and toffee with dried fruit and white pepper at the edges. Gold: rye and tobacco on the nose, oak and honey on the palate — spicy rye and tobacco first, caramel and honey with dark fruit and citrus behind, and a long finish of charred oak and vanilla, the same profile Blanton's publishes for the Gold Edition. Takara's two shorthands share nothing: cedar and vanilla against rye, tobacco, oak and honey.\u003c\/p\u003e\n        \u003c\/div\u003e\n        \u003cdiv class=\"mw-act\"\u003e\n          \u003cdiv class=\"mw-act-n\"\u003eII\u003c\/div\u003e\n          \u003ch3\u003eStrategic Position\u003c\/h3\u003e\n          \u003cp\u003eEach bottle is also listed on its own, as \u003ca href=\"\/products\/blantons-black-japanese-export-bourbon\" class=\"mw-accent\"\u003eBlanton's Black at 80 proof, sold alone\u003c\/a\u003e and as \u003ca href=\"\/products\/blantons-takara-gold-edition-japanese-export-bourbon\" class=\"mw-accent\"\u003ethe Japanese Gold Edition at 103 proof\u003c\/a\u003e; with Takara Red between them the pair becomes the Export Trio, and with Takara Red in place of Black it is \u003ca href=\"\/products\/blantons-takara-red-gold-pair\" class=\"mw-accent\"\u003ethe Takara Red and Takara Gold pair\u003c\/a\u003e. Buffalo Trace has sold the Gold Edition in the United States since 2020, under near-black wax; the maroon wax and the 80-proof companion are what mark this pair as Takara's — \u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/the-vault-journal\/blantons-domestic-vs-international\" class=\"mw-accent\"\u003ethe Journal's tells for export Blanton's\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n        \u003c\/div\u003e\n      \u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n  \u003cdiv class=\"mw-wrap mw-section\"\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"mw-chap\"\u003e\n      \u003cspan class=\"mw-chap-no\"\u003eNº 05\u003c\/span\u003e\n      \u003ch2 class=\"mw-h3\"\u003eCollector Note \u0026amp; Index\u003c\/h2\u003e\n      \u003cspan class=\"mw-chap-r\"\u003eVault provenance\u003c\/span\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"mw-prov\"\u003e\n      \u003cdiv\u003e\n        \u003cdiv class=\"mw-feat\"\u003e\n          \u003cdiv class=\"mw-feat-head\"\u003e\n            \u003cspan class=\"mw-feat-ico\"\u003e→\u003c\/span\u003e\u003ch3\u003eAssembled by Midnight Whiskey\u003c\/h3\u003e\n          \u003c\/div\u003e\n          \u003cp\u003eTakara sells Black and Gold separately; the pair is one bottle of each, assembled by Midnight Whiskey with both cartons.\u003c\/p\u003e\n        \u003c\/div\u003e\n        \u003cdiv class=\"mw-feat\"\u003e\n          \u003cdiv class=\"mw-feat-head\"\u003e\n            \u003cspan class=\"mw-feat-ico\"\u003e→\u003c\/span\u003e\u003ch3\u003eBefore It Ships\u003c\/h3\u003e\n          \u003c\/div\u003e\n          \u003cp\u003eEvery bottle is inspected before it ships: closure and seal, fill level, label and strip, production codes, provenance record. Bottles are double-boxed with protective padding, and ship in original packaging where the release includes it. An adult 21 or older with government-issued photo ID signs for every delivery. Signature gift wrapping and a personal note are available at checkout.\u003c\/p\u003e\n        \u003c\/div\u003e\n      \u003c\/div\u003e\n      \u003cdiv\u003e\n        \u003cdiv class=\"mw-index\"\u003e\n          \u003cdiv class=\"mw-index-head\"\u003e\n            \u003cspan class=\"mw-il\"\u003eCollector Index\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"mw-ir\"\u003eMW VAULT\u003c\/span\u003e\n          \u003c\/div\u003e\n          \u003cdl class=\"mw-index-grid\"\u003e\n            \u003cdt\u003eBottles\u003c\/dt\u003e\n            \u003cdd\u003e2\u003c\/dd\u003e\n            \u003cdt\u003eStrengths\u003c\/dt\u003e\n            \u003cdd\u003e80 · 103 proof\u003c\/dd\u003e\n            \u003cdt\u003eMarket\u003c\/dt\u003e\n            \u003cdd\u003eJapan (Takara Shuzo)\u003c\/dd\u003e\n            \u003cdt\u003eFormat\u003c\/dt\u003e\n            \u003cdd\u003e2 × 750 mL\u003c\/dd\u003e\n            \u003cdt\u003eDistillery\u003c\/dt\u003e\n            \u003cdd\u003eBuffalo Trace Distillery\u003c\/dd\u003e\n            \u003cdt\u003eCartons\u003c\/dt\u003e\n            \u003cdd\u003eBlack · gold\u003c\/dd\u003e\n            \u003cdt\u003eSet\u003c\/dt\u003e\n            \u003cdd\u003eAssembled by Midnight Whiskey\u003c\/dd\u003e\n          \u003c\/dl\u003e\n        \u003c\/div\u003e\n        \u003cp class=\"mw-hublink\"\u003eEach is also sold on its own; see \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/blantons\" class=\"mw-accent\"\u003ethe Blanton's we sell by the bottle\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n      \u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n  \u003cdiv class=\"mw-dark-band\"\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"mw-wrap\"\u003e\n      \u003cdiv class=\"mw-chap\"\u003e\n        \u003cspan class=\"mw-chap-no\"\u003eNº 06\u003c\/span\u003e\n        \u003ch2 class=\"mw-h3\"\u003eTechnical Specifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n      \u003c\/div\u003e\n      \u003cdiv class=\"mw-table-box\"\u003e\n        \u003ctable class=\"mw-table\"\u003e\n          \u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSpecification\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDetail\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n          \u003ctbody\u003e\n          \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eContents\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBlanton's Black (80 proof) · Blanton's Takara Gold (103 proof)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n          \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBottles\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n          \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDistillery\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBuffalo Trace Distillery, Frankfort, Kentucky\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n          \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eClass\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSingle barrel bourbon whiskey\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n          \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eProof\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e80 and 103 Proof\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n          \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eABV\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e40% and 51.5% ABV\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n          \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMarket\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eJapan; imported and sold by Takara Shuzo Co., Ltd.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n          \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eListed by Takara as\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eブラントン ブラック · ブラントン ゴールド\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n          \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFormat\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2 × 750 mL\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n          \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNeck labels\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBlanton's Single Barrel Bourbon with ウイスキー (Black) · Blanton's Gold Edition (Takara Gold)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n          \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCartons\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBlack (Black) · gold (Takara Gold)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n          \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWax\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBlack (Black) · maroon (Takara Gold)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n          \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBarrel record\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDump date, barrel number, warehouse and rick on each label\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n          \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAssembled by Midnight Whiskey\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n          \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRegion\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eKentucky\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n        \u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n      \u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n  \u003cdiv class=\"mw-wrap mw-section\"\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"mw-chap\"\u003e\n      \u003cspan class=\"mw-chap-no\"\u003eNº 07\u003c\/span\u003e\n      \u003ch2 class=\"mw-h3\"\u003eRecords \u0026amp; Assurance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003cdetails\u003e\n      \u003csummary\u003eProduction Methodology\u003c\/summary\u003e\n      \u003cdiv class=\"details-content\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eOne barrel fills each bottling, and each label carries that barrel's dump date, barrel number, warehouse and rick by hand. Takara Shuzo lists Black at 40% and Gold at 51.5%, both 750 mL in carton; Buffalo Trace describes the Gold Edition as the Original's recipe bottled at a greater proof, and Takara describes Black as Blanton's in taste and aroma, finished somewhat milder.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003c\/details\u003e\n    \u003cdetails\u003e\n      \u003csummary\u003eAuthentication \u0026amp; Vault Preservation\u003c\/summary\u003e\n      \u003cdiv class=\"details-content\"\u003e\n        \u003cp\u003eEvery bottle sold through Midnight Whiskey is sourced as an authentic, sealed product and inspected before it ships. Orders are packed with padded, glass-rated handling and require an adult signature (21+) on delivery; we do not ship to anyone unable to verify legal drinking age. For our full sourcing and handling protocols, see \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/authentication-standards\" class=\"mw-accent\"\u003eour editorial and authentication standards\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n      \u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003c\/details\u003e\n    \u003cdetails\u003e\n      \u003csummary\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/summary\u003e\n      \u003cdiv class=\"details-content\"\u003e\n      \u003ch3 class=\"mw-q\"\u003eWhat is the difference between Blanton's Black and Blanton's Takara Gold?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n      \u003cp\u003eStrength and dress. Blanton's Black is bottled at 80 proof (40% ABV) and Blanton's Takara Gold at 103 proof (51.5% ABV); Takara Shuzo imports and sells both in Japan as 750 mL single barrel bourbons from Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky. Black wears a black label, black wax and a black carton, while Takara Gold carries a neck label that reads Blanton's Gold Edition, maroon wax over its stopper, and a gold carton.\u003c\/p\u003e\n      \u003ch3 class=\"mw-q\"\u003eIs the Gold in the Black and Takara Gold pair the Japanese Gold Edition?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n      \u003cp\u003eYes. The Gold in this pair is Blanton's Takara Gold, the Gold Edition Takara Shuzo sells in Japan at 51.5% ABV, 103 proof, in a gold carton with maroon wax over its gold horse and jockey. The Gold Edition Buffalo Trace sells in the United States wears near-black wax under the same neck label, Blanton's Gold Edition; the collectors' name Takara Gold is printed on neither bottle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n      \u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003c\/details\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n  \u003cdiv class=\"mw-wrap mw-signoff\"\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"mw-rule\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"mw-signoff-row\"\u003e\n      \u003cspan class=\"mw-tag mw-tag-a\"\u003eMidnight Whiskey · The Vault\u003c\/span\u003e\n      \u003cspan class=\"mw-tag mw-tag-m\"\u003e80 Proof to 103\u003c\/span\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n","brand":"Buffalo Trace","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":69720954470434,"sku":null,"price":489.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0812\/5566\/1602\/files\/image_35.jpg?v=1794280952","url":"https:\/\/www.midnightwhiskey.com\/products\/blantons-black-takara-gold-pair","provider":"Midnight Whiskey","version":"1.0","type":"link"}