Review #: 51
Description: Elmer T. Lee Single Barrel
Spirit: Bourbon
Background: Elmer T. Lee was the Master Distiller at Buffalo Trace in the 1980s and was the one who launched the Blanton’s brand and the concept of single barrel offerings. Like Blanton’s, coming from the #2 Mashbill, let’s see how it stacks up against it’s predecessor.
Note: Reviews 43 – 46 and 50 – 53 were done as part of a series of semi-blind samples thanks to my Secret Santa. Please keep in mind that I did not know the specifics until after posting my notes. This was labeled “Lee” giving me an idea of what this could possibly be.
Distillery – Buffalo Trace
Bottler – Buffalo Trace
Brand – Elmer T. Lee
Selection – N/A
ABV – 45%
Age – NAS
Nose – Bourbony, sweet corn, pleasant oak, rye spice, a little hint of mint
Taste – Caramel creamy sweetness, almond, pretty thin taste
Finish – Light warmth, slight oak and baking spices
Guess: ~6 Years, 45% ABV, Elmer T. Lee?
Score: 5
Would I buy a bottle? At MSRP, sure. No where near secondary market values
Thoughts: This was a perfectly fine bourbon, but nothing crazy. It felt kind of thin on the palate, but had decent flavors throughout. At the MSRP of $35 or so, it’s fine, but even then there are some better options. How this goes for $150-$200 on the secondary is beyond me.