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Bottled directly from the barrels, reflecting the production of whiskey in the days before Prohibition. Aromas of cooked berries with rich caramel and slightly floral notes mingle with bold flavors of spice and toasty vanilla, dried oak and pepper for a lingering fruit finish.

Elijah Craig Barrel Proof

Old Squat Bottle

128.0 Proof

Batch 7

Colonel E. H. Taylor, Jr. Barrel Proof Rye Whiskey - Limited Release

Colonel E. H. Taylor, Jr. Barrel Proof Rye Whiskey, a new uncut, unfiltered rye recipe, is the 13th release to join the Colonel E. H. Taylor, Jr. Collection. Aged at Buffalo Trace Distillery, this limited-edition release is bottled at 126 proof and crafted with the highest standards of quality and innovation first introduced to the industry by its namesake. 

Elijah Craig Barrel Proof

Old Squat Bottle

140.2 Proof

Batch 6

B.P.R. 14 Year (Barrel Proof Rye) - Maryland Heritage Collection

This over-proofed version of Three Crosses American Whiskey is a unique experiment in the aging traditional bourbon mashes. This high corn mash bill is matured using the time-tested solera aging system in which the aging whiskey is periodically moved into older barrels to blend with older whiskeys. Batches are only harvested from the bottom row of barrels containing the oldest whiskeys. We never chill-filter our whiskeys. Classic and approachable this whiskey is rich with the familiar notes of caramel and undertones of dark cherry and plum.

Bottled at 114 proof this is a robust, full bodied whiskey.

This one-time, barrel-proof bottling is comprised of 27-year-old Kentucky Straight Bourbon produced between 1989 and 1990 at Old Heaven Hills Springs Distillery before it was destroyed by fire in 1996. Only 41 barrels of pre-fire Bourbon were included in this bottling, and when all barrels were mingled, the natural proof was an unusually low 94.7 proof. Produced from some of the oldest barrels in Kentucky, this Bourbon will make a profound statement on bar shelves and palates alike.

Proof: 94.7 Proof
Age: 27 Years Old

PRODUCER'S NOTES: "A younger version of our famous 20-year-old Pappy Van Winkle’ Family Reserve, this bourbon was crafted according to our exclusive family wheated recipe. The smooth, oak flavor blends well with the barrel proof. Selected from barrels in the heart of our Kentucky warehouse, it has remained untouched for 15 years and unhurried by time."

PRODUCER'S NOTES: "This wonderful bourbon is bottled as close to barrel proof as possible. We add just a splash of our Kentucky limestone well water when we empty the barrels for bottling. Thus, this whiskey is as smooth as any you will find. The more water you add to whiskey from its natural barrel proof to its bottle proof, the harsher it becomes. This 107 barrel proof seems to be just right."

In 1893, when he was 18 years old, Julian "Pappy" Van Winkle Sr. began working as a salesman for the liquor wholesaler, W.L. Weller & Sons. Fifteen years later, he and another Weller salesman bought the firm. In 1910 they acquired the A. Ph. Stitzel Distillery in Louisville, Kentucky, which had started as a sour mash whiskey distillery in 1872.

The Stitzel Distillery supplied much of the whiskey sold by the Weller wholesale firm. The consolidation coincided with prohibition, during which time the Stitzel-Weller firm was licensed by the government to produce whiskey for medicinal purposes. One of their labels that was introduced on the market just before prohibition was Old Rip Van Winkle. After prohibition, the brand was not reintroduced until after 1972 when the Stitzel-Weller distillery and its current brand names (including W. L. Weller, Old Fitzgerald, Rebel Yell, and Cabin Still) were sold to other companies.The only brand name the Van Winkle family had kept the rights to was the pre-prohibition brand Old Rip Van Winkle.

The Stitzel-Weller Distillery was opened on the day of the Kentucky Derby in 1935, just outside Louisville in Shively, Kentucky. At the time of his death in 1965 at the age of 89, Pappy Van Winkle was the oldest active distiller in the nation. A photo of him lighting a cigar graces the bottle's label.

Sometime after the Stitzel-Weller distillery was sold in 1972, Julian Van Winkle, Jr. resurrected the pre-prohibition Old Rip Van Winkle brand and initially used old whiskey stocks from the distillery for its bottlings. Julian Jr. died in 1981 and Julian Van Winkle, III (Pappy's grandson) took over the Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery company.

After the initial sale in 1972, the Stitzel-Weller distillery was eventually closed completely in 1991.

Since 2002, the Van Winkle brands have been distilled and bottled by the Sazerac Company at the Buffalo Trace Distillery as a joint venture with the Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery company.

In 2013, Julian Preston Van Winkle III, said the 2013 bottlings of the 23-year brand expression "may be the last of its kind", since at that point there was very little left of the aging stock from the Stitzel-Weller distillery (although he said the brand would not be discontinued). The makers say that they do not want to boost production, as there is considerable long-term risk, and they do not want to be left holding copious quantities of unsaleable bourbon should tastes, fashions or circumstances change.

Buffalo Trace Distillery proudly announces the release of Elmer T. Lee 40th Anniversary Edition, the first-ever uncut and unfiltered expression of Elmer T. Lee Single Barrel Bourbon. Debuting four decades after the original Elmer T. Lee Bourbon was released, this limited offering honors the legacy of one of the industry’s most influential pioneers and offers enthusiasts a rare opportunity to experience this iconic whiskey in its purest form.

Elmer T. Lee’s legacy at Buffalo Trace Distillery began in 1949, when he joined the then-George T. Stagg Distillery as a maintenance engineer following his service in World War II and graduation from the University of Kentucky. Over the next four decades, he rose to become Master Distiller, helping guide the Distillery through a transformative era of modernization and growth while shaping the future of bourbon.

A visionary ahead of his time, Lee fundamentally changed the American whiskey landscape in 1984 with the introduction of Blanton’s Single Barrel Bourbon, the world’s first single-barrel bourbon and a concept that helped pioneer the premiumization of bourbon. To honor his enduring impact, the Distillery introduced Elmer T. Lee Single Barrel Bourbon in 1986, a namesake expression that directly reflects his commitment to careful selection and consistency. Its combination of craftsmanship, authenticity and legacy has made it a benchmark for both enthusiasts and collectors.

“Elmer’s legacy is something we feel and celebrate every day at the Distillery, not just in the bourbon we make, but in the way we approach our work,” said Buffalo Trace Distillery Master Distiller Harlen Wheatley. “His commitment to craftsmanship guided not only our future at Buffalo Trace, but it also helped set the course for American whiskey as a whole. I was fortunate to learn from Elmer early in my career, and his guidance left a lasting impression on how I approach my work. Releasing this rare whiskey in his honor is incredibly meaningful and a privilege for all of us at the Distillery.”

Now, 40 years after its debut, Buffalo Trace Distillery is unveiling a bold new expression of this connoisseur-respected bourbon. For the first time, Elmer T. Lee Single Barrel Bourbon is presented uncut and unfiltered, drawn directly from the barrel without dilution or chill filtration. This approach  is a reflection of how Elmer evaluated barrels for Blanton’s selection, providing enthusiasts with the opportunity to experience the whiskey as he would have.

The barrels selected for the 40th Anniversary Edition of Elmer T. Lee Bourbon were chosen for their richness and individuality, each bottled at its natural barrel proof to preserve a more robust, unaltered profile. Across the collection, notes of apricot, almond, vanilla, toasted coconut and honeysuckle lead to a rich, chewy palate with crème brûlée-like sweetness and a long finish of toasted oak and baking spice. Ranging from 124.8 to 138.6 proof, each barrel offers a subtle variation in character, structure and intensity.  

“For the first time, we’re sharing Elmer T. Lee Bourbon exactly as it comes from the barrel,” said Erica Bovard, Senior Brand Director, American Whiskey. “By offering it uncut and unfiltered, we’re able to highlight the depth and character of the whiskey while staying true to the standards Elmer set.  We think fans will love this release, and importantly, it’s one we believe Elmer would be proud of.”

2016 Bottling

PRODUCER'S NOTES: "A younger version of our famous 20-year-old Pappy Van Winkle’ Family Reserve, this bourbon was crafted according to our exclusive family wheated recipe. The smooth, oak flavor blends well with the barrel proof. Selected from barrels in the heart of our Kentucky warehouse, it has remained untouched for 15 years and unhurried by time."

Uncut and unfiltered, this hand-bottled bourbon is barrel proof. Weller substitutes wheat for the traditional rye grain, a production method pioneered by W.L. Weller. Fragrant scents of caramel corn, new leather, plums, light toffee and pipe tobacco. The palate tastes of marshmallow, salted almonds, nougat, figs and dates. This whiskey finishes smooth, composed and flavorfully sweet.

Note: The actual year might differ from the bottle shown in the picture. If you want to request a specific year, please contact us.

“Russell’s Reserve has always been deeply personal to me. It started as a way to honor my dad and everything he taught me,” says Master Distiller Eddie Russell. “Now, the opportunity to celebrate my own 45 years with a new release of the 13 Year Old – a bourbon that really showcases how I approach the craft – and to see my story shared through this film, is incredibly special.”

The Spring 2026 release of Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Old Bourbon will feature a commemorative label, offering a nod to Eddie’s 45 years of whiskey-making mastery. Continuing the tradition of honoring the truest expression of the barrel, an approach central to Eddie’s philosophy of bourbon-making, this year’s batch showcases his unique ability to hand-select and develop deep, complex flavors through maturation. Bottled at a unique barrel proof of 60.6% (121.2 proof) and shaped by the nuances of this production season, this release delivers a rich, full-bodied profile, including special selections by Eddie, crafted to be savored, shared, and celebrated.

2012 Bottling

PRODUCER'S NOTES: "A younger version of our famous 20-year-old Pappy Van Winkle’ Family Reserve, this bourbon was crafted according to our exclusive family wheated recipe. The smooth, oak flavor blends well with the barrel proof. Selected from barrels in the heart of our Kentucky warehouse, it has remained untouched for 15 years and unhurried by time."

2015 Bottling

PRODUCER'S NOTES: "A younger version of our famous 20-year-old Pappy Van Winkle’ Family Reserve, this bourbon was crafted according to our exclusive family wheated recipe. The smooth, oak flavor blends well with the barrel proof. Selected from barrels in the heart of our Kentucky warehouse, it has remained untouched for 15 years and unhurried by time."