Elmer T. Lee Single Barrel Bourbon Review: The Mash & Drum EP53

[@trhoads07]

Never never never pay secondary prices for bourbon. It encourages bad behavior by the stored price gouging you. It is like giving into a child having a temper tantrum, it doesn't work for the long haul. Let the bottles gather dust. These so many great, dare I say fantastic, bourbons under $45, there is no need to pay more than that to enjoy a dram.

[@TheMashandDrum]

I whole heartedly agree Tom. Unfortunately I sometimes have to go to the secondary to get bottles I will never see just to review. But I totally get what your saying. So many great bourbons out there that are reasonably priced. Cheers.

[@Mike-yx8jo]

Tom R very good way of putting it!!

[@gman5986]

Please name these "Fantastic" bourbons under $45. I have found soso ones but not Fantastic ones. Please share.........Thanks

[@gman5986]

@@TheMashandDrum Please name these "Fantastic" bourbons under $45. I have found soso ones but not Fantastic ones. Please share.........Thanks

[@TheMashandDrum]

@@gman5986 wild turkey 101, wild Turkey rare breed, old grand dad 114, Evan williams bottled in bond, old ezra 7 year barrel proof, knob Creek single barrel store picks are 8-14 years old and 40 dollars and 120 proof, Elijah Craig, larceny, old grand dad bonded, early times bottled in bond, JTS Brown bottled in bond..to name a few. Lol. These is something in that list you would find fantastic for the price.

[@JD0124]

I was out with friends this past weekend, and the bar we were at had a nice selection of Top Shelf bottles! Elmer T. Lee was one of them, and I loved it. We also tried Weller SiB - and Elmer T. Lee was the hands-down winner. I am now looking for it.... wish me luck! LOL.

[@mrcat3493]

Great review. You are one of the few (only) bourbon KZbinrs that I enjoy watching. I was able to get a bottle at msrp and I look forward to giving it a try.

[@Jdublifter]

Had ETL for the first time at a restaurant. Agree with your review. My wife called it the Pinot Noir of bourbons. Light.

[@djbeacon6895]

Jason, Enjoyed your review and comparison to the Blantons. After looking for about a year, I finally found a bottle for $42 just before Christmas and then a week later another bottle on the shelf at another store for $49. I agree on the balance of the ETL and my bottle may not have been as sweet in comparison to the fruits and oak. Also agree, not worth buying a bottle for over $70 much less some places at over $150. Blanton's at $70 to 100 is a more enjoyable bottle. Cheers!

[@TheMashandDrum]

I agree with everything you said. Great find getting this at MSRP. Amazingly for me Blanton's is easier to come by and I probably enjoy it a bit more than the Lee. Cheers?

[@welshtoro3256]

I heard this was going to be allocated a few years back so got myself a couple of bottles. I still have one unopened. Ralfy reviewed it back in the day and rated it highly. I thought it was very nice but not as good as some similarly priced bourbon like Elijah Craig 12 or Four Roses Single Barrel. I suppose I'll drink my last bottle but if somebody offered me secondary price for it I'd sell it in an instant. I have no idea why it's allocated anyway. Buffalo Trace could churn this stuff out if they so wished. Very good review Jason.

[@TheMashandDrum]

thanks buddy! I would take ALOT of bourbons over this at the secondary price. 35-40 dollars this is a steal. I wouldnt blame you for selling in todays market. cheers and thanks for watching.

[@artprince9163]

I used to drink Elmer frequently about 6 or 7 years ago. It was my favorite go to due to flavor and cost. It comes out 2 times a year, may and November I think and sells out the day of unless it is secured and held in reserve.

[@Kenobi487]

Just cracked mine open after holding onto it for a bit. I enjoyed it but it’s definitely not worth the secondary price. Your review was great.

[@marksaliba4194]

Not even allocated in Ontario. I appreciate the quality of your reviews and the history lesson. I feel smarter after watching this channel. Cheers

[@TheMashandDrum]

Thanks Mark! Always good to know the history behind what your sipping. Cheers.

[@Mose2305]

Early last year I did see it for $90, just couldn't pull trigger with all the barrel proof bourbon lower than that. The year before when I was not into whisk(e)y it was $45, so it's hard to justify the price jump. Cheers Jason on bringing great whisk(e)y to light!

[@TheMashandDrum]

That's the reason why I wanted to review this. I haven't had it in a while and wanted to see if it was worth it to me. At MSRP yes. At today's secondary prices. No way. Cheers.

[@SippersSocialClub]

I feel like this one is overhyped. Yes, it's good, not deserving of secondary market however

[@TheMashandDrum]

Absolutely. Not worth the hype but a nice piece of nostalgia.

[@musicmakesmefeelgood-b4e]

hear hear!

[@ranman1959]

I bought 3 bottles of this in 2015 for about $31 per bottle (ahhh, the good ol' days). Sold one to a friend at cost and kept the other 2. As soon as I tasted my first bottle I knew something was wrong; turned out it suffered from cork taint as did a range of bottles from that particular release in April 2015. Tried to tolerate it but ended up pouring most of it down the drain since it pretty much tasted like dirt. The other one is still on the shelf but I'm afraid to open it! In the meantime I've had many bottles of Blanton's that were delicious. And there's nothing I want so much that I'd pay secondary prices for. It's just whiskey folks!

[@TheMashandDrum]

I hear that buddy. Sorry you had that bad batch back then. That's always frustrating. It's a great bottle at MSRP but the secondary had shined a bad light on this bottle unfortunately. Thanks for watching.

[@ericbrooks6699]

Man love your review of this bourbon. Flavor profile is seriously lacking for a bourbon of this price.

[@mybourbonjourney]

Hey Buddy great review as always! Agree with you on all points it's a really nice bourbon but for the prices it's going for on secondary there are a lot of other great bourbons for less expensive and much easier to get. Cheers!

[@TheMashandDrum]

thanks buddy! at 35-40 this would be a steal but the availability and secondary issues make this a pass for me. cheers!

[@Mike-yx8jo]

Thanks Jason! I felt the same was and finished mine rather quickly. But, paying more then $50... just can’t do it...

[@Protectorcables977]

I just got it but don’t know the price selling any recommendations please

[@ThePartySourceReviews]

A true favorite of mine. Love this bourbon. Cheers, -J.O.

[@TheMashandDrum]

Cheers buddy!

[@thedantrout]

I completely agree with you on the secondary pricing. This is way overpriced on the secondary. I remember it being very easy to drink for sure. Great review my friend. Cheers!!!

[@TheMashandDrum]

Thanks Dan. Definitely an easy sipper. Not nearly worth the secondary value but a nice dram.

[@newmennium]

Great review Jason!

[@erikhillman797]

I just found one of these after 4 years of casual searching

[@brianpage6932]

Blantons is rather easy to find in Ontario in my experience, I see bottles every 1.5-3 months and a decent bit at that, ETL, never seen, Glad others got to enjoy it, I watched some of Elmers interviews on the BT youtube and his story, I'd agree its a nostalgia thing on top of the flavors , I love Blantons it's really unique, the MSRP where I reside is about 70$ though . Great reviews, lots of detail been watching all your stuff. Subbed yesterday

[@TheMashandDrum]

Thanks Brian! Glad your enjoying the content!

[@aimee2234]

Bourbon prices in general are getting higher by the month. I can't imagine secondary prices. Crazy! Great review, Jason... :-)

[@TheMashandDrum]

Thanks Aimee! Wish it was more available and a normal price.

[@whiskeyace398]

Nice sipper at msrp..I got a kind of grain, grassy or dryness from a couple bottles in the past but always enjoyed it

[@TheMashandDrum]

I can definitely see that. There was definitely a dryness there. Cheers.

[@Richie.Z]

Great review Jason! I see the ETL bottle on occasion but it's almost always $99 so it's not high on my list to get yet. Cheers brother

[@TheMashandDrum]

Yeah I would wait it out buddy. It's not worth the 100 bucks. It's interesting and a good buy at 35-40 but not higher. Thanks for watching!

[@skept3k516]

@@TheMashandDrum My local store has a bottle... asking $175 haha so I'll pass for now

[@TheMashandDrum]

@@skept3k516 Wow 175! Easy pass! Good decision. lol. cheers!

[@welshtoro3256]

Hi Richie, I'm with Jason on that. It's good stuff but since when did decent bourbon have to cost 100 bucks? In U.K money it's £40 tops.

[@mikelisac]

Completely agree that it's not worth the secondary market. It's too bad that this has to be discussed. Thanks for the review.

[@TheMashandDrum]

Exactly. That's the biggest reason why I wanted to review it. I haven't had it in a while and the secondary prices were crazy. Definitely not worth it.

[@carlh4350]

Another great review Jason. Thanks for putting it out there for us. 👍

[@TheMashandDrum]

Thanks for watching Carl! My pleasure.

[@buddhas829]

I've never seen a bottle of the elusive Elmer T. Lee here in New Jersey, for awhile I would drive up and down the state to random liquor stores in an attempt to secure one. Each time I would ask store managers and employees if they happened to have a bottle , it usually ended up with them laughing followed by good luck. Someday I hope, lol.

[@TheMashandDrum]

Well don't go crazy. There are better bourbons out there. If you come across one at MSRP it's a steal but to pay secondary for it I wouldn't recommend. Cheers.

[@robdavey8836]

Great review, it’s $150 at the only place I can find it locally...😕. But I did pick up a bottle of the Old Fitz Rye for $30 that I’m going to uncork soon. Thanks and cheers

[@TheMashandDrum]

Thanks Rob! Old Fitz rye! Nice and great price.

[@garydraper5241]

I went to Idaho for Thanksgiving and all the liquor stores are state owned,, they cant mark up prices.. I got a Elmer t lee for 49 bucks,, a blantons for 60 bucks and a stagg jr for 49 bucks,, that would've cost me over 500 here in California

[@christinedaisy594]

Elmer T. Lee is easy and enjoyable to drink. Not so much to find and definitely not worth secondary pricing! If I find it for MSRP (I live in a state with controlled pricing), I will buy, but pass otherwise. Always appreciate the history in your reviews!

[@TheMashandDrum]

Thanks Christine. At MSRP it's a bargain. Unfortunately even in my controlled state its put into lotteries or never sees any shelf life.

[@Bourbinsane]

Been searching for an ETL since getting into bourbon! Gotten real close multiple times but no luck. The pour I did have tho I quite enjoyed! Great review Jason!

[@TheMashandDrum]

Yeah if you can get one at MSRP its a very well balanced bourbon. It doesnt WOW me and isnt worth the secondary prices.

[@cjmesq]

I got it for $95 bucks in NY today. It’s very good, but not worth a dime over what I just paid for it.

[@joegreen3163]

Awesome video! I’ve had it a couple times and it was pretty solid from what I can remember. Cheers!

[@TheMashandDrum]

It's definitely a solid bourbon and a steal at MSRP. Wish it was on shelves.

[@foodquig]

I wish it could be available here and in great quantity at retail prices, but that's not the case... Too bad.

[@dmott9750]

Does anyone know how many times a year this is released? Is it continuos like weller?

[@nickbonvino]

Someone commented May and November

[@MichaelJ-fn5pl]

Had a glass of this at a local restaurant and had high expectations but was underwhelmed. Good but not great.

[@TheMashandDrum]

Yeah that's my assessment as well. Lol

[@gman5986]

Thanks Jason for another great review! So the Elmer T. Lee doesn't even come close to ECBP?

[@TheMashandDrum]

Not even close.

[@gman5986]

@@TheMashandDrum Wow!...Superfast reply. I never had it and found it for $100 so thats why I was checking reviews. I think I'll pass then especially since I have around 5 bottles in stock of various bottlings ECBP. Crazy thing is about 4 weeks ago my local Trader Joes market had The C2020 of ECBO for $65 It sold out that same day.

[@taylormccutchan5110]

What are your thoughts on the Hancocks? There's a bunch of them around me at MSRP while Elmer continues to be a unicorn. Thanks for the always great content!

[@TheMashandDrum]

At MSRP it's pretty good. I found the Hancock's has a bit more spice than Blanton's. Blanton's is really easy to sip and but the Hancock's I had wasn't bad. The only one I have though is a pick so not sure if they are all like that. Cheers.

[@taylormccutchan5110]

@@TheMashandDrum Thanks for the info! It doesn't seem to be going anywhere so I'll have to give it a try.

[@maboy1994]

Another great review! Thank you for the content, Jason. ETL = Yeezy's of bourbon. They intentionally regulate the production and distribution to create high demand. I too buy into the hype. What glass are you using in the video? Can you provide a link to your Amazon influencer page?

[@TheMashandDrum]

Hey buddy. I don't have an influencer page but the glasses are called Copita glasses and you can find them on Amazon. They are great nosing glasses.

[@michaell7809]

Had some last night a long with some Henry McKenna !

[@TheMashandDrum]

Sounds like a good night!

[@gman5986]

Did the producer stop making Elmer T Lee? If not why dont they make it in larger quantities?

[@TheMashandDrum]

They do make it in large quantities. It's just heavily allocated unfortunately.

[@gman5986]

@@TheMashandDrum Interesting as I have never seen it anywhere here in So Cal in any of the liquor stores.

[@TheMashandDrum]

@@gman5986 most people don't see it unfortunately I. Alot if liquor store owners bypass the shelf for the secondary market.

[@badseed2050]

Great video man! - What are the name of the those glasses and do you know where they can be bought?

[@TheMashandDrum]

Sure they are called Copita glasses and you can get them on Amazon. They are basically a Glencairn with a stem. Wonderful nosing glasses.

[@badseed2050]

Great Thanks man - Keep up the great work.

[@gucia1]

Great review! What other bourbons would you have with a cigar? 💨

[@TheMashandDrum]

I like spicy bourbons with cigars. Old grand dad 114, Wild Turkey rare breed, basil Hayden, Blanton's and Belle Meade cask strength bourbon.

[@gucia1]

The Mash and Drum Awesome! I’ll have to give these a try again lol.. If you feel any bottle you review will pair well with a cigar let us know 💨🥃 Great channel! Cheers 🥂

[@TheMashandDrum]

@@gucia1 will do!

[@checkoutthatthing]

I'll hoard one if I can find one, but, not more than msrp. Nrfb, gtfo, idk... Cheers Jason.

[@TheMashandDrum]

Hahaha! Definitely. Lol.

[@RuckusOutfitters]

saw one today for $300 🙄

[@WhiskeyWars]

Man how things have changed in 2 years ....... These things are freakin unicorns now . So disappointing .

[@nickheezy]

Plenty saying they wont buy this $100. shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiid! i would in a NY minute.

[@duanejameslarge9920]

Congratulations Jason on 2,000 KZbin subs 🎉👏🎊👍. Cheers 🥃 !

[@TheMashandDrum]

Thanks buddy! Appreciate the support! Cheers!