Old Elk Bourbon Whiskey
Old Elk Bourbon Whiskey is a 750mL blended straight bourbon bottled at 88 proof (44% ABV), built on Master Distiller Greg Metze's custom mash bill — 51% corn, 34% malted barley and 15% rye, with roughly four times the malted barley of a conventional bourbon recipe. The straight bourbons are distilled to his recipe, aged at least four years in new charred American oak, then blended in Fort Collins, Colorado, and brought to proof with Old Elk's Slow Cut process, which adds water gradually over weeks instead of the usual day or two. It is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor.
- ABV: 44% (88 proof)
- Size: 750mL
- Mash bill: 51% corn, 34% malted barley, 15% rye
- Age: At least 4 years in new charred American oak
- Proofing: Slow Cut — water added gradually over weeks
- Origin: Blended and bottled by Old Elk Distillery, Fort Collins, Colorado
The High-Malt Bourbon, Proofed the Slow Way
Old Elk was founded in Fort Collins by Curt Richardson and built around one hire: Greg Metze, a master distiller with decades at one of America's largest whiskey producers, who wrote a bourbon recipe nobody else was using — a third of it malted barley, for a rounder, maltier spirit. Then the blending team refused to rush the last step: instead of cutting barrel-proof bourbon to bottling strength in 24 to 48 hours, Slow Cut proofing takes weeks, resting the whiskey between additions so the delicate flavours are not cooked off. The result is the smooth, caramel-rich house style. Explore the range on the Old Elk vendor page, or browse our bourbon whiskey collection.
Tasting Notes
Per the brand: sweet vanilla, caramel and clove spice with maple and nutty almond; a rich, smooth, coating palate where the caramel of the charred barrels meets gentle rye spice.
How to Enjoy
Neat or over a large cube to taste the malt at work, and a natural Boulevardier or Old Fashioned bourbon thanks to its smooth weight. More Colorado-linked whiskey is in our whisky collection.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Old Elk's mash bill different?
It uses 34% malted barley — about four times the proportion of a traditional bourbon recipe — alongside 51% corn and 15% rye, for a smoother, malt-rich character.
What is Slow Cut proofing?
Old Elk's process of adding water gradually over weeks to bring the bourbon from barrel proof to 88 proof, instead of the usual 24–48 hours, to preserve delicate flavours.
What proof is Old Elk Bourbon?
88 proof (44% ABV), 750mL — the core bottling, distinct from the higher-proof 10 Year releases.
Four times the malt, proofed over weeks — order Old Elk Bourbon online from Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.