Old Elk “Ron Wheatley” 8 Year Old Wheated Single Barrel Bourbon The Prime Barrel Pick #85

Reflecting on our Colorado barrel-picking adventure, we are convinced more than ever that it was a jackpot trip. Remember the crowd-pleasers from Stranahan and Laws? Yep, those gems were unearthed there. And while we're buzzing about the upcoming Mile High treasures, let's not forget the kickoff to that memorable journey: snagging not one but two stellar barrels from Old Elk.

Old Elk's got a twist in its tale. Sure, they source like many out there, mostly from MGP. But here's the kicker: they have Greg Metzke, a whiskey wizard with a four-decade legacy in distilling. Greg's stint at MGP wasn't just a gig; it was a masterclass that he's now channeling into Old Elk's core and single barrel offerings (Old Elk's mashbill was created by Greg specifically for Old Elk). 

 In a pure Prime Barrel style move, we roped Greg into our barrel-picking squad, expanding our lineup to a formidable nine. The hunt began with a lineup of 12 barrels—bourbon, Wheated Bourbon, and rye. And guess what? We went in blind. Trying to match each sample to its mash bill was like whiskey bingo, and we were surprisingly spot-on for most!

Narrowing down the field to three contenders was no small feat with so many palates at play. Cue the "spirited" debates (pun absolutely intended). Eventually, we landed on two favorites: a wheated bourbon and a rye—the latter being a delightful shocker. The team was torn, but united in excitement. Fun fact: Old Elk Rye Single Barrels are as rare as hen's teeth, tipping the scales for us to snag both barrels.

Post-selection, with our spirits high (and our sobriety the opposite), we celebrated the only way we knew how—heading to a nearby bar for more drinks and a feast, all on Old Elk's dime. It was an epic experience through and through, and we can't wait for you to try them!

Tasting notes:

• Nose: Bright and sweet
• Palate: Honey, vanilla, grapefruit, syrup, peanut brittle, pear, little earthy
• Finish - Medium long, butterscotch