Old Elk Blended Straight Bourbon Review

Old Elk
Blended Straight Bourbon Whiskey
88 Proof
MSRP: ~$55
Review

Please enjoy our Old Elk Blended Straight Bourbon Whiskey review!

Slow Cut Proofing

Old Elk Distillery uses a unique “Slow Cut Proofing” process in making their bourbons. After aging at least 5 years, the bourbon comes out of the barrel at, well, barrel proof. That is pure undiluted bourbon. However, Old Elk Blended Straight Bourbon Whiskey is bottled at 88 proof. To get to that proof, fresh Colorado mountain water is added. Instead of adding the water over a short period of time, the folks at Old Elk Distillery take their time. Lots of time. Weeks, in fact. The idea is that the slow proofing process will preserve more of the bourbon’s flavor.

High Malt Mash Bill

Old Elk Blended Straight Bourbon Whiskey is a high malt bourbon, which is pretty atypical. Indeed, when they say high malt, they mean high malt! The mash bill is 51% corn, 34% malted barley and 15% rye. That’s significantly more malt than most other distilleries use.

Tasting Notes – Old Elk Blended Straight Bourbon Review

Let’s taste it:

🛌 Rested for 15 minutes in a Glencairn

👉Nose: Buttery caramel, dark and sweet cherries, oak & some cedar, too; a bit of rye spice, mild cinnamon, and a hint of citrus; moderate alcohol for the proof
👉Taste: Caramel, cinnamon, oak & a bit of graininess; mild sugar sweetness
👉Finish: Oak, char, black pepper, grain & citrus continue into a fairly long finish; mild to moderate burn

Summary

Old Elk Blended Straight Bourbon is very easy to drink. I get fairly strong dark cherries and oak on the nose, with the other flavors like cinnamon more towards the back. The cinnamon and oak are noticeable in the taste, with a graininess which may come from the high barley content. However, the taste is on the mellower side. Finally, the finish is very pleasant. There’s a bit of spice, oak and char; black pepper and citrus, too. The black pepper and char spice linger for quite a long time.

I hope you have enjoyed our Old Elk Blended Straight Bourbon Whiskey review! This bourbon has been refreshed for 2025, and you can learn about it in our Old Elk Slow Cut Blended Straight Bourbon Whiskey Review. Would you like to read about another Colorado Bourbon? Check out our Woody Creek Distillers Bourbon Review!

Thank you to Sophia from Colandelo & Partners and Old Elk for providing this sample!

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