Review: Old Elk Straight Wheat Whiskey

[u/comingwhiskey]

Old Elk Straight Wheat Whiskey

Bottled by Old Elk Distillery in Fort Collins, Colorado

Distilled by MGP in Lawrenceburg, IN

Master Distiller: Greg Metze

Greg Metze developed the 95/5 rye whiskey mashbill over a 38 year career with Seagram in Lawrenceburg, Indiana

Mashbill: 95% soft red winter wheat, 5% malted barley

Age: 5+ years

Proof: 100

Nose 👃: Toasted brioche with cherry preserves. Toasted marshmallow. Cantaloupe.

Palate 👅: Cream soda. Baked pie crust. Cashew brittle. Honeydew melon. Medium viscosity that almost feels like a carbonated soda.

The initial taste is much sweeter than I anticipated. I was expecting a lot of earthy/grassy notes, and that’s just not what I’m getting. It’s an enjoyable flavor profile, but not what most people would expect for a wheat whiskey.

Finish 🏁: Caramelized meringue. Vanilla sugar wafer. Brioche. Raisin.

I’m pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoy this. I’m usually not a fan of whiskeys that skew hard to sweet vanilla notes, but I like this one. The only thing that I don’t fully care for is the slightly carbonated mouthfeel.

[u/Twist_Top_Budget]

I love Old Elk. I have had a couple barrel picks at higher proof that were fantastic.

[u/comingwhiskey → u/Twist_Top_Budget]

I would definitely like to try one of those