Old Elk Straight Wheat Whiskey

I mostly drink bourbon and haven't explored much whiskey beyond a specific bottle. When I acquired this, I mistakenly thought it was a new Double Wheated release. Instead of returning it, I decided to try it and see if I liked it. I don't love it, but I don't dislike it either; it's good. However, for a $69 bottle, I had higher expectations for this Old Elk whiskey. As a fan of wheated bourbons, I anticipated this would be more impressive. It has the burn and spicy smoke common in many bourbons, but I'm not perceiving much beyond that. I might have a different perspective after another pour; if so, I'll update this. If not, my current assessment stands as a learning experience: I enjoy bourbon.

This is a 95/5 grain bill - but not the rye recipe you might expect from MGP. It's a wheat whiskey crafted from 95% soft red winter wheat and 5% malted barley. I imagine a former distiller at MGP felt obligated to use the 95/5 ratio for old times' sake. Nose: A dry, cereal note emerges first, reminiscent of Cheerios. Wheat bread is also present. Light fruit and sweet undertones follow: peaches and cream with a touch of nutmeg at the finish. Palate: Medium body, with vanilla cream followed by some oak and mild spice. Finish: Short to Medium, the sweetness fades slowly into obscurity. If you enjoy wheated bourbons, this wheat whiskey will likely appeal to you. It delivers the sweetness characteristic of wheat in a clean, refined package.

Amber hue. The aroma presents notes of cinnamon apple pie, lemon zest, dark cherries, pipe tobacco, and buttered toast. The texture is rather thin and burns. The taste is dominated by cereal notes - I'm thinking Honey Nut Cheerios, Golden Grahams, and Mini-Wheats - with subtler hints of red apple skin, dark cherries, and baked bread, alongside some malt. The finish is long and fiery, primarily featuring malt and charred cinnamon stick, with undertones of sea salt and baked bread, plus citrus. The aroma is its strongest aspect, while the rest is disappointing. Sipping it neat is quite hot, but it becomes more pleasant with ice.

A pleasant spirit for sipping neat. I didn't detect many distinct flavors. It was quite straightforward with a brief burn at the end that faded quickly. With a touch of ice, it became sweet and buttery, offering a full, rich sensation. I can understand why some people detect notes of butterscotch, honey, and maple, followed by a slight numbing sensation. Overall, it doesn't astound me, but I definitely find it enjoyable and it has a permanent place in my home bar.

Old Elk Straight Wheat Whiskey. 100 proof. Composed of 95% Red Winter Wheat/5% Barley. No Age Statement, but I'm informed it's a 5-6 year MGP product using Greg Metze's mashbill. The aroma is sweet, with notes of light brown sugar, honey, and almond butter. The palate is silky, featuring notes of almond, vanilla, coconut, and light oak. It concludes with a medium-long sweet finish with light caramel and cocoa. It might be slightly too sweet for some, but if you appreciate Wheat Whiskey, this is a solid choice! (And yes, a Single Barrel pick is visible in the background... anticipate updates)

Excellent harmony of sweet and spicy. An earthy aroma, and the taste begins both woody and sweet before I detect notes of a wintery vanilla chai that settles into significant heat in the finish. Nice complexity, but it could be smoother. Edit: My appreciation for this has decreased with subsequent tastings. The finish has a rather bitter and grassy quality. I am now detecting a licorice flavor as well.