Old Elk Blended Straight Bourbon

The color is a medium copper-amber. The aroma is sweet, with notes of bubble gum, marshmallow, and chocolate milk powder, plus a barely detectable hint of alcohol. It's a very pleasing aroma; I hope the taste lives up to it. After adding an ice cube, the first sip reveals a grain-forward character. There's no warming sensation in the chest. Something similar to graham cracker follows. There's a distinct flavor I can't quite pinpoint, possibly from the corn in the mash bill. It's neither spicy nor very sweet, which is surprising given the aroma. It's simply an oaky, tannic pour, lacking the smoke and sweetness I prefer in bourbon. However, it is good. I find myself in complete agreement with the professional review of this. The finish is medium, with some lingering spice and grains. After sampling numerous bourbons, one develops preferences. Yet, you can't truly know if you'll enjoy a bourbon until you taste it. Thus, we sometimes must purchase bottles to discover their character. In that vein, I'd suggest this is a "Try Before You Buy" option, though that's not always feasible as not all bars stock every desired bottle. Consequently, we are compelled to buy to try. In this instance, I bought a "good" bottle to sample, but it doesn't meet my personal bourbon criteria. I rate it 3.0 stars. Added 5/2/25: After tasting some high-proof Stagg Jr., I poured this for a nightcap and detected a "peanut" note I hadn't noticed before. This prompts me to increase my rating to 3.25 stars.

I acquired this bottle on sale and decided to give it a try. After letting it rest for 10 minutes in a Glencairn glass, I found the aroma to be very faint, extremely difficult to discern, and lacking complexity. I detected a slight hint of banana (unusual) and cinnamon. The palate is approachable, with the alcohol by volume allowing for minimal burn. This suggests it could be a suitable introductory bottle for novice bourbon drinkers. The taste is consistently oak and cinnamon. The finish is primarily cinnamon, with some spice towards the end. The lingering aftertaste is peculiar, as both the cinnamon and spice gradually fade. In summary, it's not a bad bottle, and I would be interested in exploring other Old Elk offerings. I've seen it priced at $50, which I would not pay; that's excessively high. I obtained it for $33, which felt appropriate. I would consider up to $38, but anything beyond that enters the price range of superior bourbons.

I purchased this during a sale at a local liquor store for $35, deciding to try it as I'd seen it priced between $48-$50. I sampled it neat and in an Old Fashioned. Starting with the neat tasting: The aroma was mild, with notes of black pepper and brown sugar. It was acceptable. The palate was sweet, presenting as an almost ideal bourbon for individuals new to the spirit. It possessed strength without being overly complex. The finish was longer than anticipated, with hints of honey and more brown sugar. Overall, it was satisfactory. As an Old Fashioned, it was unimpressive, as the cocktail diluted any potential flavors or complexity. However, for those just beginning their journey with bourbon, this serves as an excellent entry point, as it is neither too strong nor overpowering to deter newcomers.

Nose: A smooth combination of cocoa, vanilla, nuts, and oak. Dill and anise are also present. Perhaps a hint of maple syrup? It's unclear, as it's masked by the cocoa and vanilla. Palate: This is smooth but lacks thickness; it seems diluted. It's still good, though the mash bill blends the notes effectively without allowing individual components to stand out prominently. It would be desirable to experience those distinct notes. Vanilla and oak are, as expected, the most apparent. Finish: Chocolate reappears, taking center stage. Tobacco emerges unexpectedly, wanting to make an appearance. It feels like it should have been introduced earlier. It's not prominent, and like the palate, not much is at the forefront, leaving something to be desired. The finish is brief.

A sophisticated Bourbon from Curt Richardson, the founder of Old Elk Distillery in Colorado, and Master Distiller Greg Metze. It's a blend of three Straight Bourbons from New York, Colorado, and Indiana, all sharing the same mash bill: 51% corn, 34% malted barley, and 15% rye. 'The Bourb' undergoes a unique "Slow Cut" proofing method before being bottled at 44% ABV. It begins with an aromatic profile of honey, citrus, vanilla, toffee, and spice, followed by a bold character with notes of corn, caramel, oak, vanilla, and fruit. The lengthy finish is spicy, with hints of rye fruit and vanilla. December 2020 / August 2022

The aroma has notes of maple, vanilla, and cinnamon. The taste features maple, vanilla, oak, nutty qualities, and a saccharine sweetness. The finish starts sweet and quickly becomes astringent. I made a genuine effort to appreciate this whiskey, ensuring it rested for a few weeks after opening it below the shoulder, but it didn't improve. Attempts to use it in mixed drinks, like an old fashioned, were unsuccessful. I suspect a significant portion of the whiskey is young. Considering the price, better options are available from other brands.