Old Elk Blended Straight Bourbon 750ML

Old Elk "Slow Cut" Blended Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ML)

Old Elk Blended Straight Bourbon is a highly distinct, smooth, and texturally velvet craft spirit that completely challenges traditional bourbon architecture. Produced by Old Elk Distillery in Fort Collins, Colorado, the brand’s liquid program operates under the legendary guidance of Master Distiller Greg Metze—a 40-year industry icon who previously directed operations at the massive MGP facility in Lawrenceburg, Indiana.

What isolates Old Elk from nearly every mainstream competitor is its radical, custom high-malt grain blueprint. While standard modern bourbons focus heavily on corn backed by a secondary layer of rye or wheat, Metze built this recipe with four times the malted barley found in traditional bourbons. To maintain the legal designation of "Straight Bourbon," the mash bill relies on 51% corn, but it is immediately backed by an astronomical 34% malted barley and 15% rye. Furthermore, the liquid undergoes Old Elk’s proprietary "Slow Cut" proofing process. While mass-market distilleries dump hundreds of gallons of water into barrel-proof whiskey over a brief 24-to-48-hour window, Old Elk stretches this process out over several weeks. Adding tiny increments of water incrementally prevents the chemical "heat-liberating" reaction that flashes off delicate flavor congeners, protecting the structural oils of the grains. Aged for a minimum of 4 to 7 years in deeply charred, virgin American white oak barrels and proofed to a highly approachable 88 proof (44% ABV), it delivers a distinctly biscuit-like, creamy profile.

Technical Product Specs

• Size: 750ML Custom Angular Premium Glass Bottle

• ABV/Proof: 44% (88 Proof)

• Spirit Type: Blended Straight Bourbon Whiskey (A blend of straight bourbons matured across multiple states, ensuring zero artificial additives or colorings).

• The High-Malt Mash Bill: 51% Corn, 34% Malted Barley, 15% Rye

• The Production Blueprint: Masterfully crafted by Greg Metze; utilizes the trademarked "Slow Cut" weeks-long proofing method to preserve delicate grain esters.

• Aging Program: Matured for 4 to 7 years in new, charred American white oak barrels.

• Origin: Blended and Bottled by Old Elk Distillery, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States

• Critical Pedigree: A craft darling, securing a Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition alongside a 90-Point rating from Wine Enthusiast.

Tasting Notes: Flavor and Aroma Profile

The massive injection of malted barley bridges the gap between classic sweet American bourbon and the deep, nutty, and structural qualities of a fine single malt.

• Aroma (Nose): Sweet, warming, and heavily grain-forward. The bouquet opens with an upfront wave of toasted almonds, warm vanilla bean, and creamy caramel sauce, beautifully supported by secondary top notes of chocolate malt, gingerbread cookies, raw honey, and a bright background hint of orange peel.

• Palate (Taste): Medium-to-full-bodied, satiny, and exceptionally velvety. The 88-proof entry coats the tongue with almost zero alcoholic bite, leading with a lush, soothing wave of maple syrup, brown butter, and sweet cream. Across the mid-palate, the unique grain blend shines; the malted barley provides a rich, biscuit-and-cereal texture, while the 15% rye introduces structural layers of clove spice, cinnamon stick, and dark chocolate shavings.

• Finish: Medium-to-long, smooth, and coating. The sweet maple notes recede cleanly, closing with a trailing signature of toasty wood char, sweet malt biscuits, almond marzipan, and a gentle rye-spice warmth.

Service and Mixology Rituals

• The Neat Slow-Sip (The Purest Method): Thanks to the prolonged "Slow Cut" proofing process and the high malt content, this whiskey is incredibly smooth and stripped of harsh congeners. It is tailor-made to be enjoyed entirely neat at room temperature in a glencairn or wide rocks glass. It delivers an incredibly rich, dessert-like experience without requiring any ice dilution to mask spirit burn.

• The High-Malt Old Fashioned: Because Old Elk carries natural notes of chocolate malt and toasted almond, it makes an elite base for an elevated cocktail. Combine 2 oz Old Elk Bourbon, 1 barspoon of demerara simple syrup, 2 dashes of Angostura bitters, and 1 dash of chocolate bitters in a mixing glass with hard ice. Stir for 20 seconds, strain over a large clear ice block, and garnish with a wide expressed orange peel.

Food Pairings

Old Elk’s unique combination of rich caramel sweetness, nutty malt oil viscosity, and gentle baking spices makes it a phenomenal partner for rich charcuterie, dark cacao, and roasted comfort elements.

• Aged & Crystal-Heavy Cheeses: An absolute match next to chunks of aged Gouda, sharp white Cheddar, or Parmigiano-Reggiano. The whiskey's caramel sweetness coexists beautifully with the savory, salty crunch of the cheese crystals.

• Decadent Desserts & Baking: The toasted grain attributes create a natural flavor mirror when served alongside a slice of warm pecan pie, brown-butter blondies, or dark chocolate truffles.

• Savory Glazed Proteins: It behaves beautifully as a companion to barbecue glazed pork ribs or roasted duck breast with a cherry reduction, where the sweet corn-and-maple traits lift the savory fats.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why is it labeled as a "Blended" Straight Bourbon?

The word "Blended" here does not mean it contains cheap neutral grain spirits like a standard blended American whiskey. Under federal guidelines, if a product blends multiple 100% "Straight" bourbons together that were distilled in different states, it must be designated as a "Blended Straight Bourbon." Master Distiller Greg Metze originally distilled this custom high-malt recipe across partner facilities (including MGP in Indiana) while building out Old Elk's inventory. Every drop inside the bottle is 100% authentic, aged straight bourbon meeting rigorous federal quality standards.

What does the 34% malted barley actually do to the flavor?

Most traditional bourbons utilize only 4% to 6% malted barley, using it strictly as a natural enzymatic catalyst to convert starches into sugars during fermentation. By multiplying that amount by nearly four, Old Elk completely alters the physical texture and flavor of the bourbon. It introduces a thick, pillowy, and velvety mouthfeel that coats the throat, substituting the aggressive, sharp fruit-and-grass notes of heavy corn or wheat for deep, comforting notes of chocolate malt, toasted nuts, and baked biscuits.

Does it taste more like a Bourbon or a Scotch?

It remains resolutely a bourbon first. Because it features a 51% corn base and matures in heavily charred, brand-new American white oak barrels, it leads with the classic, dominant traits of sweet vanilla, maple syrup, and wood caramel. However, the heavy malt footprint gives the mid-palate and finish a nutty, cereal-rich profile that highly rewards Scotch or Irish whiskey drinkers looking for a bridge into American spirits.