Old Elk Cognac Cask Finish Wheat Whiskey Review & Tasting Notes

 

Greg Metze is no stranger to whiskey. As the former master distiller of MGP, Greg started honing his skills when the now Ross & Squibb (formerly MGP) was still referred to as Joseph E Seagram & Sons Distillery. He graduated with a degree in chemical engineering from the University of Cincinnati in 1978 before signing on with Seagram. He was an entry-level manager before apprenticing for nine years under then-Master Distiller Larry Ebersold.

 

In 2016, Greg parted ways with MGP. He had been the creative force behind Old Elk Distillery in Ft. Collins, Colorado, since its inception in 2013 and officially signed on once his relationship with MGP was severed.

 

Old Elk has what it calls a Slow Cut Proofing Process. It isn’t a unique process; other distilleries do something similar. Instead of proofing down its whiskey in one fell swoop, the process involves adding water a little bit at a time over several weeks. Old Elk indicates this keeps the whiskey from overheating during the proofing cycle, which helps preserve some of its more nuanced flavors.    

 

Old Elk’s newest release is the first wheat whiskey of its Cask Finish Series, called Old Oak Cognac Cask Finish Wheat. It is a straight wheat whiskey distilled by MGP that aged six years in new, charred oak, then transferred to former French Limousine Cognac casks for at least six months, with some going as long as a year.

 

"I'm excited about the newest addition to the Cask Finish Series with our Cognac Cask Finish Wheat Whiskey, which puts a new twist on our award-winning Straight Wheat Whiskey. The combination of the French Limousine Cognac Casks with our Straight Wheat Whiskey really play well together." – Melinda Maddox, Old Elk’s Master Blender

 

This whiskey’s mashbill is 95% wheat and 5% malted barley. It is packaged at 47.5% ABV (95°). It has a limited national release, and a 750ml bottle has a suggested price of $89.99.

 

Wheat whiskeys are very hit-and-miss with me. Some are delicious, some are bland, and others are incredibly spicy. That’s due, in part, because distilled wheat is flavorless. It takes on the characteristics of the barrel and any other mashbill ingredients. It also tends to offer a softer mouthfeel than other types of whiskeys. My point is that I’m in a very #DrinkCurious mood and have no idea what to expect.

 

Before I get there, I must thank Old Elk for providing a sample of this whiskey in exchange for my no-strings-attached, honest review. Let’s do this!

 

Appearance: I used my trusty Glencairn glass to sip this whiskey neat. The burnt umber liquid created a medium rim with husky, slow tears.

 

Nose: Old Elk had a fruity aroma, with apricots, plums, grapes, and orange citrus. I also smelled French oak and caramel. I encountered chocolate orange slices when I inhaled the vapor into my mouth.

 

Palate: The thick, creamy texture filled every nook and cranny of my mouth, and the cognac’s influence was evident from the start. I tasted honey, dried apricots, and black raisins on the front of my palate. The middle offered caramel, nutmeg, and chocolate. Flavors of French oak, tobacco, and cinnamon encompassed the back.

 

Finish: Rich caramel parked in my throat. My mouth retained French oak, milk chocolate, nutmeg, and tobacco. I clocked the duration at 0:55, classifying it as medium.   

 

Bottle, Bar, or Bust: Remember how I said that, in my experience, wheat whiskeys are very hit-and-miss? Old Elk Cognac Cask Finish Wheat falls into the former. It was delightful: fruity on my nose and palate before transitioning to spicy notes on the back.

 

It was a mild 95°, producing little to no alcohol warmth. It allowed me to taste everything effortlessly. Is that due to Old Elk’s Slow Cut Proofing Process? Who knows? At the end of the day, the only thing that truly matters is that this is a lovely wheat whiskey that is so easy to sip on. I’m thrilled to have it in my whiskey library and confidently give it my Bottle rating. Cheers!

 

My Simple, Easy-to-Understand Rating System

• Bottle = Buy It
• Bar = Try It
• Bust = Leave It

 

Whiskeyfellow encourages you to enjoy your whiskey as you see fit but begs you to do so responsibly.