Elmer T. Lee Single Barrel Bourbon

Elmer T. Lee Single Barrel Bourbon

I never hide my love of Buffalo Trace Bourbon and for good reason. Buffalo Trace is the only distillery to be named “Distillery of the Year” by Malt Advocate and “Distiller of the Year” by Whisky Magazine. They make a dizzying array of the finest Bourbons that are available and the chances of entering my house and not having at very least the basic level Buffalo Trace Bourbon available is about zero. I drink it with ginger ale and about three dashes of bitters on the rocks.

I finally took my last sip of Elmer T. Lee Single Barrel that I had brought back from the Kentucky Bourbon Fest a few months ago. If you are wondering, Elmer T. Lee was the Master Distiller at Buffalo trace for about fifty years before retiring in about 2000. You can view videos of him here.

Elmer T. Lee Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
ABV: 45%
“Pale Gold appearance. The mellow nose features hints of dried (red) fruits, marzipan and vanilla. Dilutions enhances a cereal-like quality and also offers pipe tobacco and apricots. The light-bodied palate is smooth, sweet and clean with a long finish balanced well by alcohol. I would like maybe just a touch more concentration.”

There was no age statement on the bottle but it tasted fairly young. It was also lacking a bit of the marked acidity that I like so much in the regular bottling. I’m glad I tried it, but frankly, it’s no Blanton’s…

Boyd & Blair Tasting

Barry Young, co-owner of Boyd & Blair Distillery will be offering free samples of Boyd & Blair Vodka in the Lafayette Lobby on Saturday between 4:00 and 6:00 pm. Boyd & Blair distillery was founded in 2008 in Glenshaw, Pennsylvania to make small batches of hand made vodka using only locally grown potatoes.

If you haven’t had a chance to try Boyd & Blair Vodka yet, here are my notes:
“Bright and clear. Gently sweet nose with citrus zest, camomille and a hint of earth. Good intensity but smooth and not at all harsh. Powdered sugar-like sweetness with grapefruit and lemon. Smooth, long, warm finish.”

Find Boyd & Blair on the net at http://boyandblair.com.