Old Elk Straight Rye Whiskey Review

By Richard Thomas

Average Rating: B-

The Old Elk brand got started with a blend of bourbons, crafted by former MGP Master Distiller Greg Metze. Their next step was to expand the line with a straight wheat and a straight rye whiskey. All three are sourced, and the sourcing remains undisclosed. Old Elk’s rye uses the familiar 95% rye mash bill, and is bottled at 100 proof.

While it is a good guess that at least some of the blend of bourbons and probably the wheat whiskey came from MGP, the rye whiskey isn’t so simple. On the one hand, Metze knows MGP’s products well, and the Indiana distillery remains the principal supplier of aged stock whiskey in America. Yet they are no longer the only distillery making 95% rye, 5% malted barley whiskey. At least two of other distilleries making that formulation are known to be in the contract whiskey trade, and could very well have entered the stock whiskey trade as well. After all, having a straight whiskey to sell on the market would require only two years of aging, although this particular rye is said to be aged for three years. Furthermore, certain statements made in Old Elk press materials strongly implies contract sourcing for at least some of their products.

The Whiskey
I found the pour to have a light, bright amber coloring, with a nose of stale pumpernickel bread, eucalyptus and spruce, and orange zest. Upon sipping, the whiskey puts a foot down into the barrel, taking on a thick caramel note to balance out all the evergreen and mint side of things, even as the spicy side expands out to add the cookie spice blend (ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg) into things. The finish runs spicy, but mild.

Addendum by Douglas Fraser

On the nose are strong notes of rye spice, spearmint, dark chocolate, and oak. The palate has an explosion of rye spice with other notes of oak, spearmint, allspice, and driftwood. The finish is medium in length with notes of rye spice, allspice, and oak.

The Price
This bottle commands $90.