Review #: 534
Description: Old Elk Wheat Whiskey: r/Bourbon #984
Spirit: Wheat Whiskey
Background: 30 for 30: Day 28. Old Elk is one of the most interesting of the distilleries using MGP sourced whiskey. That’s because their Master Distiller, Greg Metze, was the Master Distiller at MGP prior to leaving for Colorado. That means he actually distilled their sourced product just on a different still. Old Elk approached MGP while he was there and asked him to create a new mashbill for them. This included a 51/34/15 corn/malted barley/rye mash unique to them, as well as convincing them to do wheat whiskey and wheated bourbon. This is actually a 9 year wheat whiskey which is made of 95% wheat and 5% malted barley. It was selected by r/Bourbon. The label even says it was bottled by Matt Gustafson. Thanks Matt!
Distillery – MGP
Bottler – Old Elk
Brand – Old Elk
Selection – r/Bourbon
ABV – 59.4%
Age – 9 Years
Nose – Buttery crackers, marshmallow, cinnamon swirl bread, cherry cola, oak is quite present but has this soft quality to it if that makes any sense
Taste – Light honey, vanilla cream, blackberry, sweet oak, it’s a touch on the thin side
Finish – I know there’s only a little malt, but there is a malt taste I’d normally get from Scotch, white sugar, grape brandy, graham crackers, strong oak and pepper linger with warmth
Score: 6
Would I buy a bottle? At $110 a bottle, I think it’s a bit too high
Thoughts: This was a bit of a head spinner drinking this. At times it was warm and wheat heavy, then it was like a cognac, then it was a single malt Scotch. It made for a fun experience but not overly complex or excelling in one area. I do like it and it’s fun to sip, but knowing what I paid it’s just a bit too much. I think if it was $80 or so, I’d feel better about it. I at least appreciate that it is something different you can’t really find anywhere else.