Old Elk Slow Cut Bourbon Review

By Douglas Fraser

Rating: B+

Old Elk Distillery, located in Fort Collins, Colorado, has been adding some interesting blends to its lineup of bourbon. Old Elk Slow Cut is the latest release from the distillery, highlighting their lengthy proofing technique. Old Elk has a longer proofing process than most bourbon distilleries, a step undertaken to preserve flavor. What that means is when they cut the whiskey (add water to the batch, which starts at cask strength), they do so slowly. Adding water to alcohol releases heat, which does not matter in the glass, but can compound in quantities measured in hundreds of gallons. Slowing it down prevents that heat from boiling away the lighter, more volatile flavor elements in the whiskey. The distillery has released this expression with a proofing process that is 10 times longer.

The Bourbon
Old Elk Slow Cut is said to be somewhere between 4 and 7 years old. The bourbon is a blend using the distillery’s famous slow cut proofing method. With that said, whether or not the slow proofing has a distinct impact on the flavor of the whiskey has yet to be determined. Old Elk Slow Cut is bottled at 88 proof/44% ABV.

Color: Deep Gold

The nose starts with a gentle corn sweetness aroma. This then fades into caramel apple, toffee, oak, and other gentle spices. The palate continues with strong corn sweetness but gives way to a rather spicy note with some oakiness and cereal. The finish is long and warming with lingering spices and hints of leather.

The Price
Old Elk Slow Cut can be found for about $40.