Old Elk 10 Year Old Wheated Bourbon Whiskey 750ml from the 10-Year Collection

Where Old Elk's flagship 10-Year Straight Bourbon leans on an unusually high proportion of malted barley, this sibling release takes the opposite, equally distinctive path: a boldly wheated bourbon built with 45% wheat content, informed directly by Old Elk's own deep experience crafting wheat whiskey. "It showcases the depth of a grain-forward philosophy and strong commitment to long-term aging," the distillery's own team explains, and after a full decade of patient maturation, that grain-forward ambition has had real time to pay off.

The mash bill runs 51% corn, 46% wheat, and 3% malted barley — a genuinely elevated wheat proportion for the category, well beyond what most wheated bourbons typically carry. That wheat content is specifically credited with highlighting the corn's own natural sweetness while contributing soft vanilla notes drawn out from the barrel — the result, per the distillery, is "a smooth and elevated profile" built on ten years of careful aging rather than a quick, easy blend. This bourbon launched July 28, 2026, as part of Old Elk's newly introduced 10-Year Collection — 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.

Luis Gonzalez, Middle West's CCO, framed the entire collection's ambition plainly: "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." Bottled at 52.5% ABV / 105 proof, this wheated bourbon arrives alongside a companion 10-Year-Old Straight Bourbon and 10-Year-Old Straight Wheat Whiskey — three genuinely distinct expressions of Old Elk's grain-driven house philosophy, all released together for the first time under the distillery's new ownership.

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 broader portfolio, including honors from the ASCOT Awards, PR%F Awards, Beverage Tasting Institute, and Heartland Whiskey Competition.

The 10-Year-Old Wheated Bourbon launched July 28, 2026, as part of Old Elk's newly introduced 10-Year Collection, alongside a companion 10-Year-Old Straight Bourbon and 10-Year-Old Straight Wheat Whiskey. Built from a mash bill of 51% corn, 46% wheat, and 3% malted barley, this expression draws directly on Old Elk's established wheat whiskey expertise, applying that grain-forward philosophy to a bourbon recipe. The elevated wheat content is specifically intended to highlight the corn's natural sweetness while contributing soft vanilla character developed from a full decade of barrel 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):
"For Old Elk it represents something greater. It showcases the depth of a grain-forward philosophy and strong commitment to long-term aging. By applying decades of experience with wheat whiskey, Old Elk crafted a boldly wheated bourbon with a 45 percent wheat content and 10 years of patient maturation. The result is a smooth and elevated profile, with the wheat highlighting the corn's natural sweetness and soft vanilla notes from the barrel."

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 soft vanilla notes drawn from a full decade in the barrel, with the elevated wheat content highlighting genuine corn sweetness underneath.

Palate
Smooth and elevated, reflecting Old Elk's deep grain-forward wheat whiskey expertise applied directly to a bourbon recipe. The 46% wheat content softens the profile considerably relative to more traditional, rye-forward bourbon styles.

Finish
A smooth, well-rounded close built on ten years of patient maturation — genuinely elevated rather than simply approachable, reflecting the distillery's stated commitment to long-term aging.

Quick Overview

Cocktail Suggestions

Neat or On the Rocks — the recommended serve to appreciate the wheat-driven softness and vanilla character.

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