Old Elk Single Barrel Straight Wheat Whiskey

Nose - cherry, earthy mint, anise, clove, caramel, dry vanilla, coffee, apple skin, hay, rye spice, cola, cocoa, orange blossom, powdered sugar, mild to moderate ethanol burn. Palate - spearmint, anise, bitter herbal notes, lemon pith, baking chocolate, caramel, tannic oak, coffee, black tea, sour apple, clove, dry vanilla, black pepper, cough syrup, apple skin, moderate alcohol bite, finishing medium length with mint, anise, and dark chocolate flavors. The eighth of nine blind tastings begins with minty, herbal aromas, joined by cherry cola and dry rye spices. The palate is strongly bitter and slightly sour. There's very little sweetness. Instead, bitter, unsweetened chocolate, apple skin tannins, and mint are the dominant qualities I'm tasting. The mouthfeel is slightly thin and the finish is notably drying. If I had to guess, I'd say this is mature, underproofed rye. The oak is strong and, in my experience, those deeply herbal, black tea notes usually accompany age. This isn’t my favorite whiskey profile. It’s austere and leans slightly too far into bitter, herbal, and sour territory. Overall, it’s better than average for me. So what am I drinking tonight? Woodford Reserve Chocolate Malted Rye Bourbon. Well, I’m not surprised I picked up on all those chocolate notes. I just wish it were more well balanced. Many thanks to a friend for the generous sample!

Aroma: Vanilla, a sugar-coated waffle cone, light caramel, faint ethanol. Palate: A slick mouthfeel, salted caramel, oak, crème brûlée. Finish: Quite prolonged and dry, with some oak and black pepper lingering on the mid-palate. This pour consistently grabs my attention when I pass the shelf. Crafted from 95% American Winter Wheat and 5% malted barley, this mash bill is challenging to master. However, the abundant oils and dessert-like aromas indicate skillful execution. These bottles carry an age statement of approximately 5-6 years, making them relatively young, yet they are bottled at cask strength, allowing for a full appreciation of their complexity. The nose of sweet waffle cone and vanilla emerges strongly from the glass, with salt, caramel, and crème brûlée enveloping the palate with a rich, oily character from the first sip. The experience transitions to some barrel influence on the finish, with oak and black pepper that dry your mouth and entice you back for more sweetness. My specific bottle is a selection from Corks Wine and Spirits, bottled at 115.8 proof, not 112.

This expression shows dense sweetness. Notes of dates and grains. Oak and hard candy. Not overly sweet. It has a full feel with a full finish. Its profile is almost like a Kentucky rye.

Remarkable! A store selection from Super Fine Wine & Liquor at 116.2 proof, aged 5 years. It's smooth and sweet, not harsh despite the proof. It's not as intense as the proof might suggest.

This Old Elk was quite impressive. I believe it was marginally superior to the Stagg Jr., but that's just my personal view.

Distillery selection. Six years in the barrel. Subtle aroma. A touch of sweetness. Smooth texture. The finish is moderate given the proof.