Some whiskeys announce themselves with fanfare; others prefer a quieter entrance. Elmer T. Lee Single Barrel Bourbon vs The Macallan 18 Year Old (Purple Box): Bourbon vs Scotch Showdown belongs firmly to the latter school.
Cross-category comparisons are always fun. Today we pit a Bourbon against a Scotch: Elmer T. Lee Single Barrel Bourbon takes on The Macallan 18 Year Old (Purple Box) in a battle that transcends regional tradition.
While these two whiskeys come from different worlds, comparing them reveals what makes each style unique and which might suit your palate better.
Specifications at a Glance
| Elmer T. Lee Single Barrel Bourbon | The Macallan 18 Year Old (Purple Box) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Emeritus at Buffalo Trace Distillery | N/A |
| Type | Bourbon | Scotch |
| Age | N/A | 18 years |
| ABV | 90 proof | 43% ABV (86 proof), aged 18 years, 100% malted bar |
| Price | N/A | $200.00 |
| Rating | 8/10 | 8/10 |
Nose
Elmer T. Lee Single Barrel Bourbon: Floral, yeasty, fragrant and bready. Mash notes are prominent and dried corn is always evident. Hang with it a spell and you’ll even find cocoa lurking in the background. It’s Eau de Rickhouse in a bottle. Tasting it reveals all the basics of toasted oak, caramel, vanilla, fruity rye and sour mash, followed by bonus licks of pipe tobacco, yeast, fruit, even crème caramel. It treads gingerly on the palate.
The Macallan 18 Year Old (Purple Box): Sherry, spiced plums, mixed berry preserves, warm cinnamon toast, butter.
Both whiskeys present distinct aromatic profiles. The differences on the nose already hint at the divergent tasting experiences to come.
Palate
Elmer T. Lee Single Barrel Bourbon: Tasting it reveals all the basics of toasted oak, caramel, vanilla, fruity rye and sour mash, followed by bonus licks of pipe tobacco, yeast, fruit, even crème caramel. It treads gingerly on the palate.
The Macallan 18 Year Old (Purple Box): Sweet, dry sherry, salted butter on a toasted english muffin. Clean and uncomplicated, yet full and satisfying.
On the palate, the character of each whiskey really comes to life. This is where personal preference plays the biggest role.
Finish
Elmer T. Lee Single Barrel Bourbon: The finish delivers a bit more oak and then disappears without a trace down the gullet. It just drinks cleanly, bereft of a warming burn – which I do like in many cases.
The Macallan 18 Year Old (Purple Box): Continued sherry notes from the nose right on through the finish. Charred oak on the back end with long, lingering tannic notes punctuated by sweet and very slightly salty caramel.
The finish can make or break a whiskey. A long, satisfying finish keeps you coming back for another sip.
Value for Money
Pricing varies by market, so check your local retailer for current rates on both bottles.
With both bottles in a comparable price range, the decision comes down to flavour preference rather than wallet size.
The Verdict
This is a genuinely close call. Both Elmer T. Lee Single Barrel Bourbon and The Macallan 18 Year Old (Purple Box) have their strengths, and picking a clear winner depends entirely on what you value most in a whiskey.
We'd recommend trying both if you can. Each has qualities that make it worth a pour.
Read the Full Reviews
- Elmer T. Lee Single Barrel Bourbon – Full Review
- The Macallan 18 Year Old (Purple Box) – Full Review
Final Reflections
Elmer T. Lee Single Barrel Bourbon vs The Macallan 18 Year Old (Purple Box): Bourbon vs Scotch Showdown is the kind of bottle that rewards the curious — those willing to sit with a glass and let the story unfold at its own pace.
