Old Elk - Wheated - Straight Bourbon Whiskey
$65
Old Elk – Wheated – Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Proof: 92
Age: 5 Years
Distillery: Distilled by MGP (I believe) under direction of Old Elk
Type: Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Mash: 51% Corn, 45% Wheat, 4% Barley
Website: Old Elk Distillery
*Disclaimer: A score of 5 is the midpoint for my reviews. Above 5 I like it. Below 5 I didn’t for some reason. Most of my reviews are between 4-7. It takes something really really special to go above 7 or below 4. See the methodologies for rating at the end of the article
Nose: Butterscotch, Vanilla, White Pepper, & Wheat Grain.
Taste/Palate: Medium to Dry, Average Heat. Wheat Grain with a slight Husk taste with Orange Bitters off the bat. The dram immediately balances out with sweet notes coming to the forefront. Caramel, Mild Vanilla, & Graham Cracker.
Finish: There’s a bit more spice that comes out in the finish. The Sweetness from the Palate fades out and you’re left with some dry light fruit. All Spice, Apricot, Apple, and a little Clove. After a few minutes on the finish there’s some maturity that comes forward. A little Tobacco, Leather and Mild Oak mixed with the light fruits.
Verdict: There’s a lot to unpack on this one. It’s solid and takes you on a bit of a journey. It’s not one dimensional, but also isn’t something that knocks my socks off. It is nice to have behind the bar, but not good enough to keep a back-up. *Important note. When I first cracked this bottle I got NOTHING on the nose. I had another person take a smell that they couldn’t pick anything up either. There was also very little on the palate and finish. I put it back on the shelf and revisited a week later. The next time I gave it a go it was night and day different. Not sure what everyone believes about “neck pours” or “letting it open up in the bottle”, but this one changed. I had my second opinion take a shot at it after it sat for a week and they also confirmed it had changed significantly.
The Story: I’ve seen this brand pop up a few times in the Bourbon Forums and that prompted me to take a crack at this. I do like Wheated Bourbons, so that gravitated me towards this variation.
The Distillery’s Story: The story on Old Elk’s page is very limited. It sounds like there is a financial backer (Curt Richardson) that procured a master distiller (Greg Metze – 38 Years with Seagrams) to produce high quality spirits. I believe that the recipe and distilling directions are sourced out to be distilled (I believe by MGP) and then bottled by Old Elk. This isn’t the standard “sourcing”. Many distilleries go into a MGP or Dickel and pick out some barrels and label them their own. In this instance the juice is being cooked to their specification. Disclaimer: This is the impression I get with the limited info I’m able to find on the distillery and other sources on the internet.
Methodologies for Rating:
1. Dump it down the drain or regift it to someone you don’t care for.
2. This doesn’t even belong in a mixed drink. Use in case of an emergency.
3. It’s really not for me, but I heard some people like it.
4. Its only good when I’ve had too many and it’s decent in a mixer.
5. Solid. It hit all of what’s expected.
6. Above average. Good to bring to an event and you wouldn’t expect any guff from it.
7. Buy two if you see it to make sure you have one on reserve.
8. Very Very good. Constantly a GREAT POUR.
9. Superb. If I were to drink this and only this from now on I’d be a happy person.
10. Perfection is impossible. But this really comes as close as you can possibly get.
Reviewer: David S
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