The Whiskey Reviewer A World of Whiskey, Poured Every Weekday
By Kenrick Thurston Wilcox
Rating: B+
Old Elk Infinity Bottle 2023
(Credit: Old Elk Distillery)
If anyone has wanted to try their hand at being a blender, infinity bottles are an interesting way for consumers to do so, with many articles on websites how to start your own at home blend. With its roots in the wine world via the solera aging system, the process sees consumers taking what whiskey they have available and over time creating their own uniquely personal blend.
Some whiskey companies, such as Old Elk, are aware of this trend and have gone a step further by creating infinity barrels, projects that see producers filling a barrel or tank, then draining a portion of the liquid, and topping it off with different products, creating an ever-evolving whiskey. Started in 2013 by entrepreneur Curt Richardson, founder and ex-CEO of OtterBox, and with Greg Metze at the helm as master distiller. Before coming over to Old Elk, Metze had an illustrious career as head distiller at MGP, where he worked for 38 years.
This is the third iteration of Old Elk’s Infinity Blend, which contains 15.3% of last years infinity blend, 40% of their unique high malted bourbon aged for 8 years, 43.2% wheat whiskey aged for 7 years and 1.5% wheat whiskey aged for 10 years and is bottled at 57.575% ABV.
The Whiskey
Once poured the whiskey is amber in color. The nose is is full, nutty and malty, with notes of toffee, coffee beans, chocolate and a slight leather scent.
On the palate the malt and wheat become more prominent though the liquid still retains the corn sweetness and thickness typical of a bourbon. Some notes of orange citrus come through along with some smoke, with the coffee bean notes fading far into the background.
The finish stays for a long time though is lacking in complexity tasting only of coffee. Adding a couple drops of water I noticed some black pepper on the nose, some leather on the the palate with more of the coffee flavor coming back, and the finish now having notes of chocolate, coffee and black licorice, although the time it lasted was shortened. This dram is great both on neat or on the rocks.
The Price
A bottle will should set you back $150 for a 750ml, but some online retailers have it listed for somewhat higher.
