Old Elk Master's Blend Wheat N' Rye Whiskey

Old Elk Master's Blend Wheat N' Rye Whiskey is the wheat-meets-rye expression of Old Elk's Master's Blend Series — a 108.4 proof (54.2% ABV) 750mL blend of 7-year-old straight wheat whiskey and 6-year-old straight rye whiskey, curated by Master Distiller Greg Metze (40+ years of experience, formerly of MGP). The wheat component was contract-distilled by Metze at MGP in Lawrenceburg, Indiana and bottled at Old Elk in Fort Collins, Colorado, then proofed with the brand's "Slow Cut" method — water integrated over several weeks to preserve esters and mouthfeel. A Chairman's Trophy 95-pointer at the 2023 Ultimate Spirits Challenge. Available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.

• Proof / ABV: 108.4 proof (54.2% ABV) — 750mL
• Blend: 7-yr straight wheat whiskey + 6-yr straight rye whiskey (blend of straight whiskeys)
• Mash bill (wheat): ~95–96% soft red winter wheat, ~4–5% malted barley
• Distilled: Lawrenceburg, Indiana (MGP, by Greg Metze); bottled in Fort Collins, Colorado
• Awards: Chairman's Trophy, 95 Points — 2023 Ultimate Spirits Challenge; Gold — 2023 Bartender Spirits Awards

Greg Metze's Sweet-and-Spicy Study

The Master's Blend Series is Metze's playground — and Wheat N' Rye is the contrast piece: soft, honeyed wheat whiskey against assertive rye spice, slow-cut to keep the texture. Shop more rye whiskey and American whiskey, or explore the Old Elk range at Del Mesa.

Tasting Notes

Brand copy (via retailers): honeyed granola, orange peel, toasted oak, black pepper, clove, and fresh mint; a full-bodied butterscotch and vanilla bean framed by persistent rye spice; a long, warming finish balancing cereal sweetness with a dry herbaceous kick. The Whiskey Wash's press review finds honey, coriander, green apple, warm bread, and graham crackers on the nose, with black pepper, honey, marzipan, sweet cherries, maple, oak, and green apple on the palate.

How to Enjoy

Neat to catch the sweet-then-spicy arc, or with a single large cube — the wheat softness shows at dilution. At 108.4 proof it also stands up to a rich Old Fashioned.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Master's Blend Series?
Old Elk's limited series of curated blends built by Master Distiller Greg Metze — Wheat N' Rye pairs 7-year wheat whiskey with 6-year rye whiskey.

Where is it distilled?
The wheat whiskey was distilled by Greg Metze at MGP in Lawrenceburg, Indiana; the blend is bottled at Old Elk in Fort Collins, Colorado.

What is "Slow Cut" proofing?
The brand's method of integrating proofing water over several weeks, meant to preserve esters and mouthfeel rather than shock the whiskey.

Wheat softness, rye fire, one bottle — add Old Elk Wheat N' Rye to your Del Mesa Liquor order.