Old Elk 10 Year Old Straight Bourbon Whiskey 750ml From the 10-Year Collection

This is a genuinely new arrival: Old Elk's 10-Year-Old Straight Bourbon launched nationwide on July 28, 2026 — the first major new release for the distillery since Middle West Spirits, one of North America's largest independently owned distilleries, acquired Old Elk in May 2025. "We're excited to launch these whiskies with a very strong age statement," said Luis Gonzalez, CCO of Middle West Spirits. "Through this 10-year collection, we can offer a line of whiskies with exceptional quality while maintaining accessibility, something truly rare in the industry. These new releases embody the dedication and craftsmanship of our team, proving that while our whiskies rest, our pursuit of excellence never does."

What sets this bourbon apart from most of what's on the shelf is its mash bill: 51% corn, 34% malted barley, and 15% rye — an unusually high proportion of malted barley for the category, a genuine departure from the corn-heavy recipes most bourbon relies on. That balance is deliberate. The elevated malted barley content is specifically credited with bringing remarkable smoothness and depth, while the rye component contributes real spice and the corn its familiar sweetness — together building a bourbon with genuine layered complexity. After a full decade of aging, those elements have had real time to integrate: the result, per the distillery's own account, is "robust yet remarkably approachable — smooth, balanced, and effortlessly sippable."

Bottled at 52.5% ABV / 105 proof, this bourbon arrives as the flagship of Old Elk's newly launched 10-Year Collection, alongside a companion 10-Year-Old Straight Wheat Whiskey and 10-Year-Old Wheated Bourbon. This release also marks a meaningful moment for Old Elk more broadly — proof that under its new ownership, the distillery's long-term aging philosophy and its founding commitment to genuinely distinctive mash bills remain firmly intact.

Origins & Craftsmanship

Old Elk Distillery was founded in 2013 in Fort Collins, Colorado, built around Master Distiller Greg Metze's decades of whiskey expertise and the distillery's signature Slow Cut™ Proofing process. In May 2025, Old Elk was acquired by Middle West Spirits, an independently owned distillery based in Columbus, Ohio, recognized nationwide for setting new standards in American craft spirits since its own founding in 2008. Middle West controls its entire production process — from seed selection through on-site grain processing, distilling, aging, blending, and bottling — and has earned more than 200 awards across its portfolio, including honors from the ASCOT Awards, PR%F Awards, Beverage Tasting Institute, and Heartland Whiskey Competition.

The 10-Year-Old Straight Bourbon launched July 28, 2026, as the first major new release for Old Elk under Middle West's ownership, and represents the flagship of the newly introduced 10-Year Collection — a three-bottle lineup that also includes a 10-Year-Old Straight Wheat Whiskey and a 10-Year-Old Wheated Bourbon. This bourbon is built from a mash bill of 51% corn, 34% malted barley, and 15% rye, a distinctly high proportion of malted barley relative to most bourbon recipes on the market. The elevated malted barley content is specifically intended to deliver smoothness and depth, while the rye provides spice and the corn its natural sweetness, combining for genuine layered complexity across a full decade of maturation. Bottled at 52.5% ABV / 105 proof, available nationwide.

Critics Reviews

No numerical critic score is confirmed for this product at this time — a brand-new release as of July 28, 2026.

Luis Gonzalez, CCO, Middle West Spirits:
"We're excited to launch these whiskies with a very strong age statement. Through this 10-year collection, we can offer a line of whiskies with exceptional quality while maintaining accessibility, something truly rare in the industry. These new releases embody the dedication and craftsmanship of our team, proving that while our whiskies rest, our pursuit of excellence never does."

The Whiskey Reviewer (official product description):
"The hallmark of this distinctive bourbon is its high malted barley content, a departure from traditional mash bills that brings remarkable smoothness and depth. By increasing the proportion of malted barley and balancing it with the spice of rye and the sweetness of corn, the team has created a bourbon with a layered complexity. After a full decade of aging, these elements come together to deliver a whiskey that is robust yet remarkably approachable — smooth, balanced, and effortlessly sippable."

Tasting Profile

Full independent tasting reviews for this brand-new release have not yet been published; the following reflects the distillery's own stated production philosophy and character.

Nose
Expect layered aromatics reflecting the unusually high malted barley content — smoothness and depth balanced against rye-driven spice and corn sweetness.

Palate
Robust yet remarkably approachable, with genuine layered complexity built from a full decade of maturation. The elevated malted barley proportion contributes real smoothness, while the 15% rye component adds structural spice against the corn's natural sweetness.

Finish
Smooth, balanced, and effortlessly sippable — a finish designed for genuine accessibility without sacrificing the complexity a full ten years in the barrel provides.

Quick Overview

Cocktail Suggestions

Neat or On the Rocks — the recommended serve to appreciate the mash bill's distinctive balance.

Old Fashioned
2 oz Old Elk 10 Year Straight Bourbon · Demerara syrup · Angostura bitters · orange twist.