Old Elk Cask Finished Series: Port Cask Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Old Elk Cask Finished Series: Port Cask Straight Bourbon Whiskey is a bold, luxurious expression that marries classic American bourbon structure with the rich fruit influence of Portuguese port barrels. Bottled at a robust proof and produced in limited quantities, this whiskey showcases Old Elk’s innovative finishing program and masterful blending. The result is a layered bourbon with deep red-fruit complexity, velvety sweetness, and a sophisticated finish—ideal for enthusiasts who appreciate elevated, wine-influenced bourbon expressions. 

Origins & Craftsmanship

Old Elk Distillery, based in Fort Collins, Colorado, has gained recognition for pushing the boundaries of American whiskey through innovative mash bills and finishing techniques under the guidance of Master Distiller Greg Metze, a veteran with decades of experience in Kentucky bourbon production.

The Port Cask expression is part of the brand’s Cask Finish Series, which explores secondary maturation in premium barrels sourced from around the world to enhance complexity and depth.

The base bourbon begins with Old Elk’s distinctive high-malt mash bill:

• 51% corn
• 34% malted barley
• 15% rye

This unusually high malted barley content creates a softer, rounder texture and a sweeter malt backbone compared to traditional rye-forward bourbons.

The whiskey is initially aged a minimum of five years in new charred American oak barrels, developing classic bourbon notes of caramel, vanilla, and toasted oak. It is then transferred into 59-gallon port wine casks sourced from Portugal, where it undergoes secondary maturation for roughly 10 months to one year.

This finishing process allows the bourbon to absorb subtle port-wine character—introducing layers of dark fruit, chocolate, and gentle tannin while maintaining the structure of the underlying bourbon.

The whiskey is bottled at 108.1 proof (54.05% ABV), delivering a powerful yet balanced drinking experience that highlights both the bourbon base and the influence of the port casks.

Critics Reviews

The Beverage Testing Institute awarded Old Elk Port Cask Finish Bourbon 92 points and a Gold Medal, recognizing its depth and complexity within the finished bourbon category.

Whisky Advocate highlights the whiskey’s aromatic complexity, noting layers of sugared citrus, cherry cola, vanilla crème brûlée, and rich red-fruit character from the port cask influence.

Tasting Profile

Nose:
Rich aromas of ripe red berries, cherry compote, vanilla cream, toasted oak, and subtle cocoa with hints of port-wine sweetness.

Palate:
Full-bodied and expressive with flavors of dark cherry, red berry compote, caramel, cinnamon spice, and chocolate-covered fruit supported by the malt-driven bourbon core.

Finish:
Long and warming with lingering notes of cocoa, baking spice, oak tannin, and softly fading port-fruit sweetness.

Quick Overview

Cocktail Recipes

Port Barrel Manhattan

Ingredients

• 2 oz Old Elk Port Cask Finish Bourbon
• ¾ oz sweet vermouth
• 2 dashes Angostura bitters
• Brandied cherry

Preparation
Stir bourbon, vermouth, and bitters with ice until chilled. Strain into a chilled coupe glass and garnish with a brandied cherry.

Ruby Bourbon Old Fashioned

Ingredients

• 2 oz Old Elk Port Cask Finish Bourbon
• ¼ oz rich simple syrup
• 2 dashes orange bitters
• Orange peel

Preparation
Stir all ingredients with ice and strain over a large cube in a rocks glass. Express the orange peel oils over the drink and garnish.