This is the bottle that started the single barrel movement. Elmer T. Lee is a single barrel Kentucky straight bourbon from Buffalo Trace, named for the master distiller who created the category in 1984. It is an allocated, hard-to-find pour, and we are glad to keep it on the shelf at Camp West in West Seattle for the guest who appreciates a true piece of bourbon history at our cabin-inspired bar in the Junction.
About the Distillery
Elmer T. Lee is produced at Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky. Elmer T. Lee joined the distillery in 1949 and rose to master distiller, pioneering the world’s first single barrel bourbon. Even after retiring in 1985, he continued to visit weekly to hand-select barrels for his namesake bottling until his passing in 2013 at age 93. The brand carries his legacy forward.
Style & Mash Bill
This is a single barrel Kentucky straight bourbon bottled at 90 proof (45% ABV), meaning each bottle is drawn from one individually selected barrel rather than a blend. It comes from Buffalo Trace’s Mash Bill #2, a higher-rye recipe shared with Blanton’s and Rock Hill Farms, which gives it a touch more spice than the distillery’s low-rye bourbons.
Tasting Notes
The nose offers clove, vanilla, and old leather. The palate is elegant and balanced, weaving together fruit, honey, and vanilla with a light, lifting spiciness. The finish is smooth and refined, a fitting tribute to the distiller it is named for.
How to Enjoy It at Camp West
At $19 a pour, this allocated single barrel deserves to be enjoyed neat so its elegance comes through. A single rock will open it slightly if you like. Given its scarcity, we would save this one for sipping rather than mixing. Ask your bartender about availability.
FAQ
Why is Elmer T. Lee allocated? It is released in limited quantities and is highly sought after, so supply is inconsistent. Availability can vary night to night.
What does single barrel mean? Each bottle comes from one individual barrel rather than a blend of many, so character varies subtly from barrel to barrel.
Toast to a legend. Book a table, see the full whiskey list, or browse our beverage menu.