Elf Butterscotch Bourbon Whiskey 750ML

Elf Butterscotch Bourbon Whiskey 750ML is a flavored bourbon whiskey bottled at 33.33% ABV (66.66 proof) in a 750ml bottle, produced by 28 Mile Distillery in Highwood, Illinois. Built on a base of malted Midwestern grain bourbon, this expression leans heavily into dessert territory with an unmistakable butterscotch character that distinguishes it from more conventional flavored whiskeys on the market.

Quick Facts: ABV: 33.33%  |  Origin: Highwood, Illinois, USA  |  Flavored Bourbon Whiskey  |  Distillery: 28 Mile Distillery

Production & Heritage

28 Mile Distillery operates as a craft distillery in Highwood, Illinois, a northern suburb of Chicago with a long history tied to the spirits trade. The Elf Butterscotch expression is distilled from malted Midwestern grain using traditional methods before being blended with butterscotch flavoring. Bottled at a notably low 33.33% ABV — well below the 40% standard for most American whiskeys — the proof point is a deliberate choice that prioritizes drinkability and allows the butterscotch sweetness to sit front and center rather than compete with high-proof heat.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Warm caramel and buttery toffee arrive immediately on the nose. Lighter notes of vanilla and soft oak fill in behind, giving the impression of a freshly unwrapped butterscotch candy with a faint woody backbone.

Taste: The palate opens with creamy butterscotch sweetness that coats the tongue, followed by layers of brown sugar and vanilla at mid-palate. Gentle bourbon spice — a whisper of cinnamon and light grain — emerges underneath, keeping the sweetness from becoming one-dimensional.

Finish: Smooth and moderately sweet, with lingering candy-like butterscotch and a mild warming touch of oak. The finish is relatively short but clean, making it an easy sipper that invites another taste.

How to Drink Elf Butterscotch Bourbon

Served chilled or over a single large ice cube, Elf Butterscotch Bourbon works best when cold temperatures tighten the sweetness and bring out the underlying grain character. Its lower proof and pronounced flavor profile also make it a versatile cocktail ingredient:

• Butterscotch Old Fashioned: Swap in Elf Butterscotch for standard bourbon and use aromatic bitters to balance the sweetness — the butterscotch replaces any need for added sugar.
• Salted Caramel Espresso Martini: Combine with fresh espresso and a pinch of sea salt for a dessert cocktail where the butterscotch and coffee create a rich, layered drink.
• Apple Cider Hot Toddy: Mix with warm apple cider, a cinnamon stick, and a squeeze of lemon — the butterscotch amplifies the autumnal sweetness of the cider.

Best For

• After-dinner sipping as a dessert alternative
• Introducing non-whiskey drinkers to bourbon-based spirits
• Holiday cocktail gatherings where approachable, sweet serves are welcome
• Mixing into fall and winter themed cocktails

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Elf Butterscotch Bourbon taste like? It leads with rich, creamy butterscotch and brown sugar sweetness, supported by vanilla and a gentle undercurrent of bourbon spice and light oak.

How does Elf Butterscotch Bourbon compare to Whiskeysmith Salted Caramel Whiskey? Both occupy the dessert-flavored whiskey category, but Elf Butterscotch leans into a pure butterscotch-candy profile while Whiskeysmith introduces a salted element that tempers its sweetness. Elf is also bottled at a lower 33.33% ABV compared to Whiskeysmith's 30% ABV, giving it marginally more bourbon backbone.

Is Elf Butterscotch Bourbon good for beginners? Yes — the low 33.33% ABV and prominent butterscotch sweetness make it one of the most approachable bourbon-based spirits available, requiring little acclimation to whiskey's typical heat or bitterness.

Where is Elf Butterscotch Bourbon made? It is produced by 28 Mile Distillery, a craft operation located in Highwood, Illinois, just north of Chicago.

What foods pair well with Elf Butterscotch Bourbon? Vanilla bean ice cream or crème brûlée complement the caramel-butterscotch notes directly. Pecan pie mirrors its brown sugar sweetness. Dark chocolate introduces a bittersweet contrast that balances the sugar. Baked apples with cinnamon echo the warm spice undertones in the whiskey.

What sizes does Elf Butterscotch Bourbon come in? The standard and most widely available size is the 750ml bottle.

Is Elf Butterscotch Bourbon worth the price? It positions as an accessible, entry-level flavored whiskey from a craft distillery, delivering a specific dessert-like experience that larger producers rarely attempt at this flavor intensity — reasonable value for fans of sweet spirits.

Why Elf Butterscotch Bourbon?

In a flavored whiskey market dominated by honey and cinnamon variants from major distillers, Elf Butterscotch Bourbon takes a different path entirely. The butterscotch profile is unambiguous and fully committed, built on a Midwestern grain bourbon base from an Illinois craft distillery rather than a mass-produced spirit. Its 33.33% ABV — intentionally below the industry standard — removes the proof barrier that keeps many drinkers away from whiskey altogether. For anyone seeking a genuine butterscotch-forward bourbon that works equally well as a chilled sipper or a cocktail building block, this bottling fills a niche that few competitors occupy.