A softer, more approachable 105-proof wheated bourbon that trades some of the collection’s distinctive character for balance and drinkability.
Stats
- Type: Wheated Bourbon
- Age: 10 year
- Proof: 105 (52.5% ABV)
- Mashbill: 51% Corn │ 46% Wheat│ 3% Malted Barley
- Origin: Ross & Squibb (MGP) — Lawrenceburg, Indiana
- Additional Aging: Fort Collins, Colorado & Columbus, Ohio
- Cask: New Charred American Oak
- Release: Wide release, blended
- MSRP: $69.99 (via Old Elk)
Tasting Notes
- Nose: Layers of Werther’s caramel and banana bread dominate, with a quick puff mint followed by cracked black pepper. Compared with the other two releases, the nose is noticeably muted.
- Palate: A moderate, creamy body brings buttered brown bread and molasses alongside a hint of familiar MGP charred oak. The texture is one of the whiskey’s strongest attributes.
- Finish: Drying oak and caramelized crust transition into a moderately hot, peppery finish. A longer linger of cherry-filled danish, custard and caramel keeps the finish interesting after the initial heat fades.
The second member of Old Elk’s 10-Year Collection takes a very different approach. With 51% corn, 46% wheat and 3% malted barley, the Wheated Bourbon is noticeably softer and more reserved than the Straight Bourbon.
That doesn’t make it less successful. In fact, I’d argue it may be the most approachable and crowd-pleasing whiskey of the three. It simply gives up some character in exchange for balance, creaminess and an easygoing profile.
Presentation
Old Elk continues to have one of the more recognizable bottle designs in American whiskey.
The premium metallic label is immediately identifiable, but the real standout is the wooden topper, which remains unlike almost anything else on the market.
The closest comparison I’ve seen is Hard Truth’s topper, although that leans much more toward a driftwood aesthetic.
Distinctiveness
Of the three 10-year releases, this is probably the least distinctive. The profile is more muted overall, particularly on the nose, and it doesn’t have the same unusual fruit or spice combinations found in the Wheat Whiskey or the grapefruit/malted barley character of the Straight Bourbon.
What it does exceptionally well is balance. The creamy mid-palate and reserved finish make this the bottle I’d be most comfortable handing to someone who doesn’t necessarily want a whiskey that demands their full attention.
“…it may be the bottle I’d feel most confident pouring for a group of whiskey drinkers with very different preferences.”
Transparency
Old Elk is refreshingly straightforward about what these whiskies are. The collection uses MGP whiskey distilled specifically for Old Elk, with Old Elk’s founder involved in designing the special mashbills.
There’s no mystery around the source or the relationship. For me, that’s exactly what good transparency looks like: tell consumers what they’re drinking and let the whiskey speak for itself.
Value
At $69.99, you’re getting a 10-year-old, 105-proof whiskey with a creamy texture and a highly approachable flavor profile.
That’s compelling value, particularly for someone who might prioritize drinkability over novelty. It doesn’t have quite the same punch of personality as the Wheat Whiskey, but the combination of age, proof and price remains difficult to ignore.
Buy if:
- You prefer approachable, balanced whiskey
- You love wheated bourbon
- Creamy texture is important to you
- You want a crowd-pleasing 10-year pour
Skip if:
- You want maximum flavor intensity
- You prefer bold, unusual whiskey
- Heavy oak and distinctive character are your priorities
- You want the most adventurous bottle in the collection
Verdict
The 10-Year Wheated Bourbon is the quietest member of the collection, but that may ultimately be its greatest strength. It’s creamy, balanced and approachable, with caramel, banana bread, molasses and a lingering pastry-like sweetness.
I’d call it the collection’s crowd pleaser. It doesn’t have quite as much personality as the other two, but it may be the bottle I’d feel most confident pouring for a group of whiskey drinkers with very different preferences.
Bourbon Bishop Bottom Line:
The most approachable of Old Elk’s three 10-year releases, trading some individuality for a creamy, balanced and seriously drinkable pour.
For those who prefer numbers, here’s the full score breakdown:
- Nose: 5.5 / 7
- Palate: 5.2 / 7
- Finish: 5.4 / 7
- Presentation: 5 / 7
- Distinctiveness: 4 / 7
- Transparency: 7 / 7
- Value: 6 / 7
Bourbon Bishop Rating: 5.44 / 7 – Divine
Top-shelf. Must-buy for fans of the style.
| Score | Descriptor | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 0–1 | Hell No | Drain pour. Seriously undrinkable. |
| 1.1–2 | Purgatory | Bad, but could be worse. Only in extreme cases. |
| 2.1–3 | Only Earthly | Just okay. Best used as a mixer. |
| 3.1–4 | Bliss | Passable to Good sipper. Works well in cocktails. |
| 4.1–5 | Angelic | Good to great. Often high value for the price. |
| 5.1–6 | Divine | Top-shelf. Must-buy for fans of the style. |
| 6.1–7 | Holy Heaven | Out-of-this-world. A true unicorn. |
Disclosure: This bottle was provided to me free of charge for review. All opinions are my own.
About Old Elk
Founded in Fort Collins, Colorado, Old Elk built its reputation around unconventional mash bills, long-aged whiskey and a willingness to do things differently. A major part of that identity comes from master distiller Greg Metze, who spent nearly four decades in the whiskey industry, including his time at Seagram’s/LDI/MGP. Old Elk originally worked with Metze to develop custom mash bills rather than simply selecting whiskey from an existing catalog, helping create the brand’s distinctive high-malt bourbon, wheated bourbon and wheat whiskey profiles.
Old Elk is also known for its Slow Cut™ proofing process, in which water is added gradually over weeks rather than rapidly over a day or two. The brand says this slower process helps limit the heat generated during proofing and preserve more delicate flavors developed through fermentation, distillation and maturation. In 2025, Middle West Spirits acquired Old Elk Distillery, beginning a new chapter for the brand while retaining its existing aged whiskey inventory and distinctive recipes
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