Elmer T. Lee Bourbon
Type: Single Barrel One of the best bourbon deals out there for quality versus price.
Bourbon, also referred to as “straight” bourbon, is a grain whiskey made from at least 51% corn, using new-charred oak barrels, and aged for a minimum of two years. If aged less than four years, it must include an age statement.
Its’ name comes from Bourbon County, a formerly larger geographic area covering Kentucky and Virginia. The type of whiskey from this area was called “Bourbon” to distinguish it from the primarily rye whiskey from Pennsylvania. Curiously, there are no distilleries in the current (and much smaller) Bourbon County in Kentucky.
The ingredients for bourbon are water, corn, yeast, and two other grains: one being barley which helps in fermentation and adds character, the other usually being rye, but in some cases, wheat. If the latter is used, it is referred to as a “wheated” bourbon.
Sourmash refers to fermented grain and yeast solution that is used as a “starter” from a previous batch (much like sourdough bread), which creates the next batch of bourbon. Sourmash is also known as “setback.” Many distilleries use the sour mash process as it is thought to guarantee a more consistent product not that it affects the distilling or taste of the finished product to a great extent.
While most bourbon is produced in Kentucky, the only legal geographic requirement is that it is produced within the United States. Indeed, there are may new microdistilleries all over the United States that produce bourbon including a more or less local one, Honeoye Falls Distilling. Other requirements are that the whiskey is not distilled over 160 proof, is barreled for aging at no more than 125 proof, and is bottled it no less than 80 proof. No coloring or flavoring agents are allowed to be added to the whiskey.
Bourbon is the only whiskey that gains proof while it ages- all other whiskeys and many other types of spirits tend to lose it during the aging process . This is due to the temperature extremes and general conditions it is stored in.
One of the best bourbon deals out there for quality versus price.
One of the cheapest drinkable bourbons around . Usually can be found for $20 or so which is a steal these days for anything in a glass bottle and halfway decent.
Highly recommend this as a great bourbon and a great value for the money
While decent, this Vintage 2002 is very light in the taste and finish department. Not one of our favorite vintages.
Drier and woodier than previous vintages, giving you a rich oakiness similar to a much older bourbon without the cost.
Much heavier in all departments than former releases. Could almost believe it was a Scotch…
Pay more, get less, but collectible I guess? If you want to collect them all or want to show off a limited availability bottle go ahead, otherwise pass on this one.
Next time I break my leg skydiving or BASE jumping I want this instead of morphine.
Subtlety different from the 2004, but still wonderful
Somewhat fruitier on the nose and has a lot more rye punch and oak than last years version (2005)
The 2011 release is somewhat less fruitier on the noise and is generally a bit lighter in character despite one of the higher barrel proofs in a while.
A bit pricey for what it is.
A stunning achievement in both whiskey distilling and aging. While Parker Beam did not live to see this whiskey bottled I am sure he would be proud of it.
I’m pretty sure if Parker Beam was still alive he would drink this – it’s that good.
Delicious, complex and smooth everything you might want for a great price.
Decent if not spectacular. More of an investment than a drinking bottle for the low-life bottom feeders that engage in such a trade as it will no doubt be a limited edition and much sought-after bottle. Yes, I think a Heaven Hill aficionado would enjoy it quite a bit and it is worth trying if you can, but maybe not buying an entire bottle as it is pricey for what it is. Leave it to the speculators and shallow egotists and buy some of their more modestly priced releases for enjoyment.
An Excellent Bourbon that has an intriguing backstory and proves that innovation can result in bringing back long lost taste profiles, and for some of us, memories…
A very unique bourbon, great example of a young, but well done whiskey.
Decent if a trifle simple. Available almost anywhere and a reliable choice.
Interesting variation from the Jim Beam Family but a bit overshadowed by the wood and lacking some finesse and balance overall.
A very interesting bourbon flavored with brandy. Well worth a try.
Interesting whiskey with malty chocolate overtones to it.
Nicely done 12 year old whiskey. Nicely balanced age and wood profile.
A failed experiment in my opinion
A premium single barrel version of an old standard.
Light, easy to drink, but not a lot going on flavor wise. Simple, easy, and cheap.
For a Jim Beam product actually quite outstanding.
A touch more oily or buttery than the last few releases with pronounced Spanish cedar and oak notes to it.
Not only do you get the extra proof but a lot of subtle aging characteristics and aromas that would have been lost in the proofing down process! Worth the extra money for the extra proof and all the goodness that comes with it!
One of the best buys in bourbon right now. Yes, it is a relatively mass-produced whiskey, but it is a nicely done barrel-proof release of good bourbon to start with and the price/value ratio is a lot higher than a lot of newer craft whiskies that frankly are not as good – especially for the money.
An altogether much drier version than the A120 Release.