Book Review: Warehouse H
By Richard Thomas
Rating: A-
The most penetrating statement of modern whiskey fandom is what happened to the brand Blanton’s Single Barrel Bourbon. A venerable trailblazer in bourbon whiskey’s rebound from the neglect of drinking Boomer’s and obscurity, the expression was emblematic of premium (but not super premium) bourbon. However, as the renown of Buffalo Trace soared ever higher during the Bourbon Boom, eventually even Blanton’s became scarce. It disappeared from store shelves as the market price for a bottle soared to $200, and one liquor retailer was raided by law enforcement for re-importing it from Europe. But even as this was happening, online snobs derided anyone who bought Blanton’s as a “tater” (unless they claimed to score a bottle for MSRP, of course, in which case they were genius bottle hunters) while claiming the quality of Blanton’s had fallen noticeably.
As Blanton’s turned full unicorn, Warehouse H hit bookstore shelves. Named for the metal-sided rickhouse erected by namesake Albert Blanton and setting for the story that inspired the brand’s creation, the book is the authoritative guide to all things Blanton’s Bourbon. The text brings together the story of the brand in minute detail with a guide to all its expressions. Author Dominic Guglielmi is just the man to write such a work; even luminaries like Buffalo Trace’s archivist Nick Laracuente and Visitor Lead and storyteller-in-chief Freddie Johnson often refer specific questions about Blanton’s brand history to Guglielmi.
If I have a criticism of this book, that is couched in realism. This is a short book; at 260 pages, it would be a little short as is, but that is before the many bottle shots and other images are factored in. Still, I’m realistic and know there is only so much one can write about just one whiskey brand. I don’t have a problem with the length at all, but I mention it because I know some will. From my point of view, I would rather have it a little short and sticking to the point than going on frivolous diversions in the name of pumping word count (case in point: how many articles and books spill ink over James Wilkinson, founder of Frankfort, Kentucky, in connection to Buffalo Trace, even though Wilkinson had absolutely nothing to do with a place that was not even considered part of Frankfort when Wilkinson was alive).
If you love a bottle of Blanton’s and count yourself as a reader, buy this book. You’ll learn something you never knew and have a good reference guide in the bargain.
