Tastes

I was so excited to try this rye. I’ve been really loving ryes lately and many, many have said this was good. The nose was delicious. Sweet, can smell the rye and almost like a fruity smell, dried fruit almost. Apricot bomb to the palate! This was so shocking to taste but for me, not overpowering at all. Very sweet but the rye made it delicious. What’s weird is that I don’t even like apricots. My wife tries to get me to eat them and I usually don’t like them. This drink though is going to make me rethink that. Some vanilla and syrup towards the end which gets me to the finish. The finish was even better than I expected. Apricots continued through with a maple twist but the taste just kept lingering. Really enjoyed this bottle. Overall, I would and will buy a bottle for my shelf. I need this to show others and break up the nights with something truly unique and delicious. Definitely worth the try!!

Tried this at a bar for $10 as I thought it would be better to try than buy an entire bottle. The nose was sweet and picked up the rye/cinnamon. The palate was very different than I expected. Much more sweet but not too much rye (as you would expect from a rye) and came off a little hot. The finish had lots of cinnamon but didn’t last long. Overall, it was “okay”. Wasn’t great, wasn’t terrible and was an interesting pour. I wouldn’t buy a bottle due to the price but might take another pour for $10 again.

I was able to get this on sale so I figured I’d try it. I let it sit for 10 min in a glencairn glass. The nose is barely there, I mean, it’s super tough to get anything as it’s not complex. I pick up a hint of banana (odd) and cinnamon. The palate is easy as the proof allows there to be barely any burn. Makes me think this could be a great intro bottle for a new bourbon drinker. Taste of oak and cinnamon through and through. The finish is primarily cinnamon with some spice at the end. The after taste is odd as both the cinnamon and spice trail off. Overall, it’s not a bad bottle and I’d be interested in other Old Elk pours. I’ve seen this for $50 and I wouldn’t buy it for that much, way too high. I got this for $33 which was perfect. I’d do up to $38 but anymore than that puts you in ranges for a better bourbon.

I’m a big fan of WhistlePig and thought to give this pour a try. Tried it neat and over ice, odd enough, preferred it with ice (I’m a big fan of my bourbon being neat so this was odd). The nose was pure spice. The palate and finish followed with the rye spice you would expect. The finish was short which did disappoint as I’m used to the 10 year. Some have said this is mainly for high end cocktails. As for being neat, wasn’t bad, but also wasn’t incredible. A decent rye. I enjoyed the drink, but I would rather spend the extra 20-30 for a fantastic 10 year. Even then, you can find some store picks for that price too which is even better.

This was an interesting pour for sure. Nose is super spicy but not off putting. The palate is what shocked me, straight up raisins was the first thing I tasted. It also had a ton of heat and spice. The second sip had less raisins and more floral background which is what moved into the finish. The spice and heat continued through right up until the last of the finish. Then, a great taste of floral, vanilla, some garden-like flavor which was truly pleasant. That finish is what made me go back for more. If it wasn’t for the finish, I wouldn’t enjoy it due to the spice and heat. I’d drink this again for sure but I don’t think I’d buy a bottle.

I had mid/high expectations as it was recommended to me to try. I had this neat and the ABV made this so light. The flavors (pick a flavor - any flavor) didn’t shine through at all. It was like drinking a really watered down bourbon without any flavor. By far one of the least favorites bourbons I have tried. I wouldn’t recommend or buy this.

By far one of the strangest bourbons I’ve ever had. The nose was delightful with vanilla, caramel and something I couldn’t put my finger on. Then the taste isn’t too strong but it was the finish that made this so crazy. It was like a coffee/toffee IPA. Someone could have told me I was drinking a very strong coffee IPA and I would have believed them. I wouldn’t buy this bottle as it is not something I would drink normally. The nose then transitioned to smelling of an IPA with coffee notes. Such an odd but interesting dram.

Vanilla, spice and high rye initial taste. Overall, the finish is delicious but don’t put it on ice. It ruins it when you add ice.

Tons of spice and ethanol in the nose making it not pleasant. The taste has vanilla, some char and lots of spice with the alcohol taste still there. The finish is short lived and the spice continues through. Im surprised and really feel like I’m missing something since so many people enjoy this bottle for the price. I’d rather spend the extra few bucks and upgrade altogether. I’m not a fan and wouldn’t have a desire to drink this again. Just wasn’t my type of pour.

Vanilla, oak and cinnamon flavors with a bit of ethanol bite. Wasn’t a fan. Too much bite and ethanol taste up front for me.