Buffalo Trace Distillery Releases Elmer T. Lee 100 Year Tribute
Buffalo Trace Distillery has announced the release of Elmer T. Lee 100 Year Tribute Single Barrel Bourbon, a limited edition commemorative bottling in honor of what would have been Elmer’s 100th birthday. Proceeds from the bottle sales will go towards Frankfort VFW Post 4075, where Elmer was a member until his death in 2013.
On August 5th, 1919, Elmer T. Lee was born on a tobacco farm near Peaks Mill in Franklin County, Kentucky. From meager beginnings, few would have thought Elmer would grow up and earn an engineering degree from the University of Kentucky, create the world’s first single barrel bourbon called Blanton’s, and become one of the most celebrated Master Distillers.
“After a century has passed since he was born, we want to honor Elmer and share our admiration with his family and others, while also giving back to Elmer’s local VFW,” said Kris Comstock, senior marketing director. “We were lucky to have Elmer with us for 93 years. As he grew older he continued to visit the Distillery weekly. The wisdom, expertise and friendship he shared during his weekly visits will never be forgotten. We think of him often and cherish the time he spent with us.”
Elmer retired from Buffalo Trace Distillery in 1985, but continued to serve as an ambassador for Buffalo Trace Distillery and the whiskey world up until his death. Prior to joining Buffalo Trace (then known as the George T. Stagg Distillery) in 1949, Elmer served as a radar bombardier on B-29 flights with the U.S. Army Air Force in World War II. After flying missions against Japan through 1945, Elmer was honorably discharged in 1946, attended college, and graduated with honors in 1949. Upon graduation, he started work at the Distillery where he was eventually named General Manager. He worked at the Distillery until retirement, marking a milestone in his career with the creation of Blanton’s in 1984, the world’s first single barrel bourbon.
Elmer T. Lee 100 Year Tribute is the same age and mashbill as the standard Elmer T. Lee, but is bottled at 100 proof instead of 90 proof. The bourbon is described as “having a nose of maple syrup up front, a taste of creamy vanilla with berries, and a long finish of coffee, toasted oak, and vanilla.”
Elmer T. Lee 100 Year Tribute will be available in highly limited quantities starting later this month and carries a suggested retail price of $100.
Photo credit: Buffalo Trace Distillery.
Source: Buffalo Trace Distillery.
10 Comments
How can this bourbon be purchased?
This bourbon was mentioned many many times in the Netflix series Justified. I am anxious to obtain a bottle. Where can it be purchased? I live in Batesville, Indiana.
I would be interested in getting a bottle of the 100 year tribute. Have always liked Elmer T Lee before Buffalo Trace bought them out.
I suggest checking with your local liquor stores. Due to its allocated status, you’re going to have a tough time finding a bottle at MSRP unless you have a good relationship with a local store.
How can I purchase a bottle?
I suggest checking with your local liquor stores and on wine-searcher.com.
Very interested. Where is it sold in northern california?
Check with your local liquor stores and on wine-searcher.com.
This bottle will be impossible to find. We all would love to share a pour with our friends.
Crest liquor store in San Diego has a bottle.