{"product_id":"elmer-t-lee-gold-wax-top","title":"Elmer T. Lee Gold Wax Top","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSingle barrel. 90 proof. The gold wax top variant of the bourbon created by the man who invented the single barrel category — Elmer T. Lee, Master Distiller Emeritus of Buffalo Trace.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003eElmer 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 defined the premium bourbon category. He continued personally visiting the distillery weekly to select barrels for his self-named expression even after retirement in 1985, until his passing in 2013 at age 93.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003eThe Elmer T. Lee bourbon uses the same high-rye mash bill as Blanton's, Rock Hill Farms, Ancient Age, and Hancock's Reserve — one of Buffalo Trace's most versatile and consistently performing recipes. The gold wax top is a presentation variant of the standard expression, distinguished by the gold wax seal and associated packaging. At 90 proof, it is the most approachable bottling carrying Elmer's name, designed to be experienced as he intended: neat or on a single large ice cube.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003ch3\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/h3\u003e \u003cul\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eAppearance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Golden amber with warm copper highlights.\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eNose:\u003c\/strong\u003e Vanilla, sweet caramel, light berries, apricot, and peaches, with a touch of oak on the tail end. Clove and old leather from the high-rye mash bill.\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003ePalate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Maple syrup and caramel up front, vanilla and floral notes through the mid-palate, with the crisp clean character that marks Buffalo Trace's premium single barrel offerings.\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eFinish:\u003c\/strong\u003e Long and sweet — barrel flavors with oak, tannins, and a burnt sugar and caramel tinge.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e  \u003ch3\u003eCritical Acclaim\u003c\/h3\u003e \u003cul\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eSpirit Journal:\u003c\/strong\u003e 5 Stars \/ Highest Recommendation — \"A fitting liquid tribute to a genuinely great whiskey man and a true pioneer.\"\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eWine Enthusiast:\u003c\/strong\u003e 91 points\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eWhisky Advocate:\u003c\/strong\u003e \"An elegant, complex whiskey. The flavors are nice and tight.\"\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e  \u003ch3\u003eSpecs\u003c\/h3\u003e \u003cul\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eDistillery:\u003c\/strong\u003e Buffalo Trace, Frankfort, Kentucky\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eStyle:\u003c\/strong\u003e Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Single Barrel\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eMash bill:\u003c\/strong\u003e High-rye Buffalo Trace recipe (shared with Blanton's)\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eProof:\u003c\/strong\u003e 90 (45% ABV)\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003ePresentation:\u003c\/strong\u003e Gold wax top\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eSize:\u003c\/strong\u003e 750ml\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e  \u003cp\u003eExplore the full \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/woodencork.com\/collections\/elmer-t-lee\"\u003eElmer T. Lee collection\u003c\/a\u003e or browse all \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/woodencork.com\/collections\/bourbon\"\u003ebourbon at Wooden Cork\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003ch3\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h3\u003e \u003cul\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eWhat is the difference between the gold wax top and the standard Elmer T. Lee?\u003c\/strong\u003e The liquid is the same — the gold wax top is a presentation variant with a gold wax seal. Both are single barrel, 90 proof expressions from the same high-rye mash bill. The gold wax presentation is generally associated with commemorative or special allocation bottlings.\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eWho was Elmer T. Lee?\u003c\/strong\u003e Elmer T. Lee joined Buffalo Trace in 1949 and served as Master Distiller for decades. He created Blanton's Single Barrel Bourbon in 1984 — the first bourbon ever commercially marketed as single barrel — and personally selected barrels for his self-named expression until his death in 2013 at age 93.\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eWhy is Elmer T. Lee bourbon historically significant?\u003c\/strong\u003e Before 1984, single barrel bourbon did not exist as a commercial category. Elmer T. Lee created Blanton's and with it the entire premium single barrel bourbon segment. Every single barrel bourbon on the market today traces its commercial lineage to that decision.\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eIs Elmer T. Lee still produced?\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes, as an ongoing expression — though specific variants like the gold wax top and commemorative releases are produced in limited quantities. The standard expression is more broadly available through allocated retailers.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e  \u003cscript type=\"application\/ld+json\"\u003e {   \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",   \"@type\": \"FAQPage\",   \"mainEntity\": [     { \"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"What is the difference between the gold wax top and the standard Elmer T. Lee?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": { \"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"The liquid is the same \\u2014 the gold wax top is a presentation variant with a gold wax seal. Both are single barrel, 90 proof expressions from the same high-rye mash bill.\" } },     { \"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"Who was Elmer T. Lee?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": { \"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Elmer T. Lee joined Buffalo Trace in 1949 and created Blanton's Single Barrel Bourbon in 1984 \\u2014 the first bourbon ever commercially marketed as single barrel. He personally selected barrels until his death in 2013 at age 93.\" } },     { \"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"Why is Elmer T. Lee bourbon historically significant?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": { \"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Before 1984, single barrel bourbon did not exist as a commercial category. Elmer T. Lee created Blanton's and with it the entire premium single barrel bourbon segment.\" } },     { \"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"Is Elmer T. Lee still produced?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": { \"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Yes, as an ongoing expression \\u2014 though specific variants like the gold wax top and commemorative releases are produced in limited quantities.\" } }   ] } \u003c\/script\u003e","brand":"Elmer T. Lee","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42900669202503,"sku":"Gold-080244007737","price":2999.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0687\/0640\/2375\/files\/Elmer-T-Lee-Kenucky-Straight-Bourbon-Whiskey-Gold-Wax-Top_359c1a67-2468-4c47-aa0b-a39e9f9daf67.jpg?v=1782422095","url":"https:\/\/bourbonnest.com\/products\/elmer-t-lee-gold-wax-top","provider":"Bourbon Nest","version":"1.0","type":"link"}