Long before people were waiting in line for allocated bourbons and chasing rare bottles on the secondary market, the industry was struggling for survival. In the early 1980s, bourbon was considered a utilitarian working man’s liquor, taking a back seat to the supposed sophistication of Scotch whisky. Elmer T. Lee changed all that, proving American whiskey could be both personal and premium. With the introduction of Blanton’s Single Barrel Bourbon in 1984, he transformed the industry, setting the template for today’s high-end market.
Elmer T. Lee (1919–2013). Photographs courtesy of Buffalo Trace Distillery and brand archives except where noted.
From Kentucky Engineer to Master Distiller
Born in 1919 in Peaks Mill, Kentucky, Elmer Tandy Lee's journey to becoming a master distiller was not a straight shot. While attending the University of Kentucky, he volunteered to serve in World War II in the Army Air Forces as a radar bombardier. After the war, he returned home and finished his studies, earning a degree in engineering. Lee began his career at the George T. Stagg Distillery, now known as the Buffalo Trace Distillery, in 1949. His initial attempt to get hired was met with rejection from the legendary president, Colonel Albert B. Blanton. According to Buffalo Trace, Blanton famously declared, "Son, we're not hiring any hands today." Fortunately, Lee was hired shortly thereafter.
Once inside the gates, Lee's meticulous nature and technical training quickly made him invaluable. He initially worked on the maintenance crew, but his engineering background allowed him to rise rapidly through the ranks. He became the plant engineer, then superintendent, and eventually attained the dual title of Plant Manager and Master Distiller. He spent decades at the facility, overseeing both modernization and growth until his retirement in 1985, carrying the traditions learned under Colonel Blanton forward into the modern era.
Inspiration Behind Blanton’s Single Barrel Bourbon
Nearing retirement in 1984, Lee revived a forgotten practice from his mentor. Colonel Blanton had a personal ritual of hand-selecting exceptional barrels of bourbon, specifically those aged in the unique Warehouse H, to be bottled individually for special guests and private consumption. Honoring this tradition, Lee introduced Blanton’s Single Barrel Bourbon, the world's first modern commercial release of its kind. Bottled at a bold 93 proof, the whiskey showcased a singular profile that balanced vanilla, caramel, and citrus notes against rye spice and complex oak. By celebrating the unique flavor variance of a single cask, Lee challenged the industry's focus on blending for consistency, instantly creating the "super-premium" category and igniting the global bourbon renaissance.
Warehouse H at Buffalo Trace—where Elmer T. Lee selected his first single barrel bourbon. Photograph by Pierre Auguste.
The Rise of Elmer T. Lee Single Barrel
Following Lee's retirement, Buffalo Trace decided to permanently honor him with his own namesake bourbon. Though it used the same "high rye" mash bill as Blanton's, Elmer T. Lee Single Barrel Bourbon offered a different experience from by being aged in the traditional brick warehouses and bottled at a 90 proof (45% ABV). It was personally selected by Lee for its rich, perfectly balanced flavor profile, featuring prominent notes of honey, toasted oak, vanilla, and fruitcake, with a delicate spiciness. For years, Lee continued to visit the distillery to personally approve the barrels for his namesake brand.
Elmer T. Lee Single Barrel Bourbon
Elmer T. Lee's Legacy at Buffalo Trace and Beyond
Elmer T. Lee revolutionized the bourbon industry by pioneering the single barrel concept with the release of Blanton’s in 1984. Even after his retirement, Lee maintained his connection to Buffalo Trace Distillery, visiting weekly to mentor younger distillers like Harlen Wheatley. He brought an engineer’s discipline and patience to his craft, tasting hundreds of barrels from Warehouse H each year to find perfect balance over brashness.
Blanton’s Bourbon — the first commercial single barrel bourbon release in 1984.
Lee's precision helped elevate barrel selection into a modern science, laying the groundwork for the premium bourbon market we see today. The single barrel category he created now defines Kentucky whiskey worldwide. Elmer T. Lee passed away in 2013, having personally approved his final namesake bottling just a week prior. His portrait now hangs at Buffalo Trace, and his profound influence flows through the distillery's modern portfolio—from its highly sought-after small batch lines to its experimental programs. Ultimately, the industry-wide legacy of hand-selected, premium bourbon traces back to one man’s groundbreaking idea and his method.
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