A portion of the Old Elk core range of American whiskey
Photo, courtesy Old Elk DistilleryOld Elk Distillery was founded in 2013 in Fort Collins, Colorado, by Curt Richardson, the entrepreneur behind OtterBox. Greg Metze, a renowned master distiller with over 40 years of experience in the industry, and Master Blender Melinda Maddox oversee the distillery’s operation. Old Elk focuses on craftsmanship, quality ingredients, and unique aging processes to create distinctive, premium whiskeys. They emphasize slow proofing, which involves slowly adding water to the whiskey over several weeks to enhance flavor integration and smoothness. Below are tasting notes on Old Elk’s range of American whiskeys.
Old Elk Blended Straight Bourbon, 4 YO, 44% ABV, 750 ml
This bottling is a whiskey blend from three distilleries: MGP in Indiana and undisclosed distilleries in New York and Colorado.
The nose is dominated by caramel, vanilla, and toasted oak aromas, with hints of dried fruits and a touch of spice. The whiskey is smooth and flavorful on the palate, featuring sweet corn cake, caramel, and honey flavors. A hint of cinnamon and nutmeg complements additional notes of vanilla and butterscotch.
The finish is medium-length and smooth, with a lingering sweetness of caramel and oak.
Old Elk Straight Wheat Whiskey, NAS, 50% ABV, 750 ml
The whiskey is floral and aromatic on the nose, with notes of honey, vanilla, and a hint of citrus. Subtle aromas of cooked cereal and spice add complexity. It’s light and smooth on the palate, with flavors of honey, vanilla, and sweet, creamy cooked cereal. The palate is creamy and slightly buttery, with a touch of citrus and a hint of cinnamon and clove spice. The finish is long, sweet, and fruity, with a lingering note of cooked cereal and well-seasoned oak.
Old Elk Straight Rye Whiskey, NAS, 50% ABV, 750 ml
It’s robust and spicy, with aromas of fresh rye bread, black pepper, and baking spices. Hints of caramel and vanilla add a touch of sweetness. It’s robust and spicy on the palate, with a nuanced, layered complexity that features spicy rye, baked peaches, caramel, and dark chocolate flavors, as well as notes of black pepper, clove, and a hint of mint. The finish is long, powerful, and sweet, with lingering cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove spice notes.
Old Elk Wheated Bourbon, NAS, 46% ABV, 750 ml
It’s sweet and fruity on the nose, with aromas of vanilla, caramel, honey, dried fruit, and hints of well-seasoned toasted oak. It’s rich and exceptionally smooth on the palate, featuring flavors of sweet corn cake, caramel, butterscotch, vanilla, and a hint of spice. The wheated mash bill adds a creamy texture and a touch of softness. The finish is medium length and smooth, with a lingering sweetness of caramel and vanilla, making it an approachable and enjoyable bourbon.
Old Elk Infinity Blend, NAS, 55.75% ABV, 750 ml
Infinity is an ongoing series that uses a solera-inspired system of fractional blending, where a portion of last year’s blend is retained and added to the current year’s mix. The rich and complex whiskey has caramel, dark chocolate, and dried fruit aromas. Hints of vanilla, toasted oak, and a touch of spice add layers of depth. It’s robust and rich but well-balanced on the palate, featuring distinctive flavors of caramel, toffee, and dark chocolate, with notes of dried figs, cinnamon, and a hint of espresso. The finish is exceptionally long and complex, with lingering caramel, oak, and spice notes—an exceptionally well-crafted, rich, and sophisticated whiskey.
Old Elk Straight Rye Whiskey Rum Cask Finish, NAS, 50.5% ABV, 750 ml
The nose opens with a rich blend of caramel and vanilla, characteristic of rye whiskey. Sweet molasses and tropical fruits from the rum cask finish follow. Subtle hints of brown sugar, banana, and a touch of spice add complexity.
The whiskey is rich and layered on the palate, starting with the spiciness of the rye—black pepper and cinnamon—balanced by the sweet, fruity notes imparted by the rum cask. Flavors of dried fruits like raisins and apricots emerge, complemented by lingering notes of spice and sweet molasses. A subtle hint of oak and tropical fruit remains on the finish, leaving a pleasant and balanced aftertaste.
Old Elk Port Cask Finish, NAS, 54.05% ABV, 750 ml
The whiskeys’ nose is very fruity, featuring an initial burst of dark berries and ripe plums, followed by underlying notes of caramel, toasted oak, and a hint of spice. The Port influence brings out a sweet, wine-like aroma, with hints of vanilla and dark chocolate.
This whiskey is smooth and viscous on the palate with a pronounced mouth weight. The rich berry flavors from the Port cask complement the rye’s spiciness, creating a harmonious blend. Notes of black cherries, figs, and a touch of honey are evident, along with a slight nuttiness and a hint of cocoa. The finish is long and lingering, with the sweetness of the Port cask beautifully balanced by the spicy rye. Dark fruit flavors, a hint of chocolate, and a touch of oak make for a complex and nuanced finish.
Old Elk Cognac Cask Finish, NAS, 54.85% ABV, 750 ml
The nose is fruity and aromatic, featuring a nuanced complexity with notes of dried apricots, figs, and a hint of citrus zest from the Cognac cask. There is also a persistent aroma of vanilla, caramel, and toasted oak, complemented by a subtle floral undertone and a touch of spice.
It’s rich and luxurious on the palate, with the bourbon’s spiciness balanced by the Cognac cask’s sweetness and fruitiness. Flavors of dried fruit, honey, and vanilla are prominent, along with hints of orange peel and toasted almonds. The Cognac influence adds a layer of complexity with notes of sweet wine and a slight nuttiness.
The finish is long and smooth, with lingering notes of dried fruit, vanilla, and a touch of oak.
Old Elk Cigar Cut, NAS, 55.85% ABV, 750 ml
The Cigar Cut Bourbon is a blend of whiskeys finished in Port, Sauterne, Sherry, and Rum casks. According to Melinda Maddox, Master Blender at Old Elk Distillery:
A good characteristic of a whiskey you can pair with a cigar is one that either cuts through the flavor bomb of a cigar or elevates the flavors of the whiskey and the cigar. I look for whiskeys with a clean but sweeter nose, some delicateness to the mid-palate, and a long finish. The flavors I enjoy are spicy and smoky, too. When you start chasing the flavor because of how the two things play together, that is a sign I’ve got a good pairing.
She added, “I’m always a fan of complementing flavors, so I recommend a more flavorful whiskey for a more robust cigar, like our first Cigar Cut or Port-Finished Bourbon.”
She also noted that the smooth character of wheated whiskeys is particularly suited for pairing with cigars, “although there is a reason, I like to have some bourbon or rye in our Cigar Cut blends. The fruit and spice of these whiskeys complement the journey when smoking a cigar.”
The Cigar Cut bourbon has an incredibly fruity, aromatic, and complex nose, with distinctive aromas of rich caramel and toasted oak. Layers of dark chocolate, dried fruit notes of figs, apricots, dates, and a hint of sweet pipe tobacco follow these aromas. Subtle notes of vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg and a touch of leather add depth and complexity.
On the palate, Old Elk Cigar Cut is full-bodied and intense. It offers the rich sweetness of toffee and caramel, complemented by dark chocolate and a hint of espresso. The mid-palate reveals a symphony of dried fruits, including raisins and figs, intertwined with spicy notes of black pepper, cinnamon, and cloves. The influence of toasted oak brings forward flavors of charred wood and a slight smokiness. Subtle hints of sweet tobacco and leather add complexity, creating a flavorful and balanced profile.
The finish is long and sweet, with lingering notes of caramel, dark chocolate, and dried fruits. A final touch of sweet tobacco and a gentle, smoky finish combined with its robustness and intensity make it an ideal pairing for cigars.
Old Elk Distillery has quickly established itself as a producer of high-quality, innovative whiskeys, thanks to its commitment to craftsmanship and the expertise of Master Distiller Greg Metze and Master Blender Melinda Maddox. Each expression offers a unique and enjoyable tasting experience, from the smooth and versatile Blended Straight Bourbon to the rich and complex Cigar Cut. Whether you’re a whiskey connoisseur or a casual enthusiast, Old Elk’s whiskeys provide a range of flavors and profiles to explore and enjoy.
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