Old Elk Roger Wilco Store Pick “Roger’s Bull”
STATS:
Old Elk Distillery in Fort Collins, CO
Straight Bourbon Whiskey
51% corn, 34% malted barley, 15% rye
109.7 Proof (54.85% ABV)
5 Years
Old Elk Website
Old Elk has always intrigued me. With most MGP or MGP blended products, you can typically pinpoint a flavor or profile within the spirit that will direct you back to Indiana. Not Old Elk. As a matter of fact, it wasn’t until halfway through my second bottle of Old Elk that I just happened to look at the label and saw “Distilled in Indiana.” I’m very impressed with what Greg Metze, and the fine folks at Old Elk, have going on over in Fort Collins. This bottle is no exception, even standing out above some of my favorite Old Elk products like their Wheated Bourbon and some of their finished products.
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Nose
(3)
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Palate
(4.5)
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Finish
(4)
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Heat Vs Proof
(4)
Notes & Review
Nose: Mild cinnamon, baking spice, sweet maple, chocolate
Palate: Creamy caramel, floral notes, followed by strong oak
Finish: A beautiful lingering cocoa, brown sugar, and a feint hint of leather
Review:
Old Elk has always intrigued me. With most MGP or MGP blended products, you can typically pinpoint a flavor or profile within the spirit that will direct you back to Indiana. Not Old Elk. As a matter of fact, it wasn’t until halfway through my second bottle of Old Elk that I just happened to look at the label and saw “Distilled in Indiana.” I’m very impressed with what Greg Metze, and the fine folks at Old Elk, have going on over in Fort Collins, CO. This bottle is no exception. Jamie and the team at Roger Wilco did a fantastic job selecting this barrel. The nose, while mild, still lets you explore the barrel and offers very little ethanol in the nostrils.
Upon the first sip, your palate is coated with a creamy, velvety caramel with notes of soft flowers and the tiniest amount of citrus. You definitely get the full five years of age in the oak flavors that perfectly accompany the smooth flavors as previously described. The palate lingers and offers a nice finish to a perfectly balanced pour. I really enjoyed this bottle. Quite frankly, I was very surprised at how quickly the bottle emptied. This bottle is very easy to drink, exceptionally smooth, and at the perfect proof for my palate. I recommend picking one up before they’re gone.
Chris first became affiliated with Whiskey Culture when he met Greg at one of their regular hangouts, Whiskey Willy’s in Tampa, FL.
Their mutual love for whiskey and connecting with other whiskey enthusiasts quickly spurred a great friendship between them. Chris and Greg would share samples, and hunt bottles for each other as their travels took them around the country.
Chris regularly attended Whiskey Culture events, and was even invited to sit on the tasting panel for Whiskey Culture’s first private barrel pick!
Now in Philadelphia, Chris is a regular contributor for Whiskey Culture writing op-ed pieces and bottle reviews.
