Elmer T. Lee Bourbon Review

There's a version of this review that writes itself: Blanton's and Rock Hill Farms already told half the story, and Elmer T. Lee closes it out. All three come from Buffalo Trace's Mash Bill #2, all three trace back to the same barrel-picking philosophy, and all three carry a name that matters more than the mash bill ever did.

This one just happens to carry the name of the man who started it.

Elmer Tandy Lee joined the distillery in 1949 as a maintenance engineer, fresh off a stint as a radar bombardier in World War II. He spent the next thirty-six years working his way up — plant superintendent in 1966, plant manager in 1969, and eventually master distiller. In 1984, near the end of his career, he selected the barrels that became Blanton's, the bottling usually credited as the first modern single-barrel bourbon on the market. When he retired in 1985, the distillery didn't wait long to return the favor. Two years later, in 1986, Elmer T. Lee Single Barrel arrived — a bourbon carrying his own name, filled from the same style of barrel he'd spent his career selecting.

He kept personally selecting barrels for it well into his nineties, right up until he passed away in 2013.

The Bottle

Distillery: Buffalo Trace

Release: Ongoing (Allocated)

Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (Single Barrel)

Proof: 90 (45% ABV)

Age: No Age Statement (typically estimated around 9 years, but not disclosed)

Mash Bill: Undisclosed (Generally believed to be Buffalo Trace Mash Bill #2)

MSRP: $40

First Impression

Light oak, honey, ripe stone fruit.

On the Palate

Brown sugar arrives first before soft vanilla and oatmeal raisin cookie. It's approachable, gentle, and noticeably lighter than many allocated bourbons.

The Last Sip

Dry oak lingers alongside apricot and warm baking spices before fading away.

Final Thoughts

There's no question why people chase Elmer T. Lee. It's tied to one of the most important names in modern bourbon history, and every bottle carries a little piece of that legacy.

The problem is that legacy has driven the price far beyond what the bourbon itself delivers. At MSRP, I'd happily keep one on the shelf. It's balanced, easy to drink, and the kind of pour you can enjoy without overthinking it. But that's rarely the decision anyone gets to make.

Most people will encounter this bottle at secondary prices or heavily marked-up retail. At those numbers, I think there are simply better ways to spend your money. You're paying for the story, the rarity, and the horse race that comes with allocated bourbon—not necessarily what's in the glass.

If someone offers you a pour, absolutely take it. Just don't feel like you're missing one of bourbon's greatest experiences if you never own a bottle.

🟡 Try at a Bar or Bottle Share