Old Elk 8 Year Old Wheated Bourbon Whiskey

Old Elk 8 Year Old Wheated Bourbon Whiskey is a 50% ABV (100 proof), 750mL wheated straight bourbon whiskey — an extreme 45% wheat mash bill aged a full 8 years, created by Master Distiller Greg Metze at Old Elk Distillery in Fort Collins, Colorado. It is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.

• ABV: 50% (100 proof) — see Metadata proof flag
• Size: 750mL
• Age: 8 years
• Mash bill: 51% corn, 45% wheat, 4% malted barley
• Master Distiller: Greg Metze — four decades of distilling experience
• Proofing: Old Elk Slow Cut — water added in small increments over weeks
• Origin: Old Elk Distillery, Fort Collins, Colorado (distilled in Indiana)

An Extreme Wheated Bourbon, Eight Years On

Most wheated bourbons run around 20% wheat; Greg Metze built this one at 45% — an extreme wheat content by category standards — and gave it eight years of gentle maturity in the rickhouse. Metze brought four decades of experience (including his long tenure as a master distiller in Indiana) to the recipe: the wheat lets the corn's natural sweetness shine through, and the barrel adds light vanilla over the top. Like every Old Elk whiskey, it is finished with the distillery's Slow Cut proofing — the water is added in small increments over weeks rather than a day or two, so the heat of proofing cannot boil off the lighter, finer flavours. This is a distinct, older bottling from both the core 5-year Wheated Bourbon and the 10 Year Old collection. Browse the Old Elk collection, more bourbon whiskey, and the wider whisky shelves at Del Mesa.

Tasting Notes

Brown butter, vanilla, oak and clove on the aroma; toffee, cinnamon and nutmeg across a smooth, creamy palate, with the corn's sweetness and the barrel's light vanilla carried on a long, warming finish.

How to Enjoy

Neat in a Glencairn first — eight years and 45% wheat deserve an unhurried pour. A splash of water opens the toffee and spice, and it builds a soft, dessert-leaning Old Fashioned.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes this an "extreme" wheated bourbon? Its mash bill is 45% wheat — roughly double the wheat content of most wheated bourbons — alongside 51% corn and 4% malted barley, which makes the profile softer and sweeter than a rye-based bourbon.

How is the 8 Year different from Old Elk's regular Wheated Bourbon? The core Wheated Bourbon is younger (5 years) and bottled at a lower proof; this limited bottling is aged a full 8 years and bottled at 100 proof.

What is Slow Cut proofing? Old Elk's trademarked process: instead of proofing the whiskey down with water in a day or two, the water is added in small increments over several weeks, keeping the liquid cool so delicate flavours are not boiled off.

Who is Greg Metze? Old Elk's Master Distiller, with over 40 years in whiskey — the experience behind this mash bill and the whole Old Elk portfolio.

Eight years, 45% wheat, no shortcuts — order Old Elk 8 Year Wheated Bourbon online from Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.