Elmer T. Lee 90th Birthday Edition Single Barrel Sour Mash Bourbon

Single barrel. 90 proof. A tribute bottling honoring Elmer T. Lee's 90th birthday — the Master Distiller who created Blanton's Single Barrel Bourbon and pioneered the modern premium bourbon movement.

Elmer T. Lee began working at what is now Buffalo Trace Distillery in 1949 and served as Master Distiller for decades. In 1984, he created Blanton's — the world's first commercially marketed single barrel bourbon, a release that launched the premium bourbon category as it exists today. He continued visiting the distillery weekly to personally select barrels for his self-named bourbon even after his retirement in 1985, until his passing in 2013 at age 93.

The 90th Birthday Edition is a commemorative tribute bottling produced to honor that milestone in Elmer's life. Like all Elmer T. Lee expressions, it shares the high-rye Buffalo Trace mash bill used for Blanton's, Rock Hill Farms, Ancient Age, and Hancock's Reserve — bottled at 90 proof, hand-selected for the taste standards Elmer established over his decades at the distillery.

Tasting Notes

• Appearance: Golden amber with warm highlights.
• Nose: Clove, vanilla, and old leather — the characteristic Elmer T. Lee nose that Wine Enthusiast rated 91 points and Whisky Advocate called "elegant and complex."
• Palate: Fruit, honey, and vanilla with a light spiciness — the high-rye mash bill's contribution balanced by the sweetness of quality barrel selection.
• Finish: Long and warm — oak and tannins with a burnt sugar and caramel tinge.

Critical Acclaim

• Spirit Journal: 5 Stars / Highest Recommendation — "A fitting liquid tribute to a genuinely great whiskey man and a true pioneer."
• Wine Enthusiast: 91 points
• Whisky Advocate: "An elegant, complex whiskey. The flavors are nice and tight."

Specs

• Distillery: Buffalo Trace, Frankfort, Kentucky
• Style: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Single Barrel
• Proof: 90 (45% ABV)
• Release: 90th Birthday Edition
• Size: 750ml

Explore the full Elmer T. Lee collection or browse all bourbon at Wooden Cork.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Who was Elmer T. Lee? Elmer T. Lee joined Buffalo Trace (then the George T. Stagg Distillery) in 1949 and served as Master Distiller for decades. In 1984 he created Blanton's — the world's first commercially marketed single barrel bourbon — launching the premium bourbon movement. He continued personally selecting barrels for his self-named bourbon until his passing in 2013 at age 93.
• What makes the 90th Birthday Edition different from regular Elmer T. Lee? The 90th Birthday Edition is a specific commemorative release produced in limited quantity to honor Elmer's 90th birthday. The liquid uses the same high-rye Buffalo Trace mash bill and 90 proof specification as the regular expression, but as a dated, documented commemorative release it carries additional historical significance.
• What is the connection between Elmer T. Lee and Blanton's? Elmer T. Lee personally created Blanton's Single Barrel Bourbon in 1984 under the guidance of then-distillery master Albert B. Blanton's legacy. It was the first bourbon ever commercially marketed as a single barrel expression. The mash bill used for Elmer T. Lee is the same high-rye recipe shared with Blanton's.
• Is the 90th Birthday Edition still available? In very limited quantities. Commemorative Elmer T. Lee releases are not ongoing production items — they are produced once and not restocked.