I also had a Lost Monarch Emerald Giant (rye that's around $36 a bottle) and it was very impressive for the price. The Elmer T Lee just tasted like a more boring Blantons, and I'm just meh on Blanton's. Not that it was bad, but there are just way better things especially considering the hype and secondary pricing. I can see why people would like it if they muted flavors. But I like bolder flavors, such as Rare Breed.