Old Elk Wheat Whiskey 750ML

Old Elk Wheat Whiskey 750ML is a 100-proof (50% ABV) American wheat whiskey built on a 95% soft red winter wheat mashbill. It earned a Double Gold and Best in Class designation at the 2023 Whiskies of the World Awards, reinforcing its standing among the most decorated wheat whiskeys on the market.

Quick Facts: ABV: 50% (100 proof)  |  Origin: Fort Collins, Colorado  |  Aged a Minimum of 5 Years  |  Distillery: Old Elk Distillery

Production & Heritage

Old Elk Distillery is headquartered in Fort Collins, Colorado, though this wheat whiskey is distilled in Indiana at the MGP/Ross & Squibb facility — a well-regarded source for high-quality American whiskey. The mashbill consists of 95% soft red winter wheat and 5% malted barley, which Old Elk describes as "the highest wheat-content mash bill we felt was right." Every bottle undergoes the brand's proprietary Slow-Cut® proofing method, a gradual process of bringing the spirit down from barrel strength that is designed to preserve delicate grain character and minimize thermal shock to the liquid. The whiskey rests in new charred American oak barrels for a minimum of five years before bottling at a robust 100 proof.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Sweet caramel and honey arrive first, followed by ripe cherry and a whisper of green apple. Underneath sits a layer of toasty vanilla, light wheat grain, and gentle oak.

Taste: The entry is soft and round — unusual for 100 proof — with peach and dried fig surfacing immediately on the palate. Mid-palate, vanilla and caramel sweetness build alongside a pleasant yeasty breadiness, while cedar and oak spice add structure toward the peak.

Finish: Medium-long and warming, with oak tannins and vanilla lingering in equal measure. A faint echo of stone fruit and wheat grain keeps the finish clean rather than heavy.

How to Drink Old Elk Wheat

Neat or with a few drops of water is the best way to appreciate the soft mouthfeel and layered fruit notes; the 100-proof backbone holds up well with a single large ice cube for those who prefer a chilled pour. In a Wheat Old Fashioned, the peach and caramel notes complement a demerara sugar cube beautifully. A Paper Plane benefits from the whiskey's fruit-forward sweetness balancing the Aperol and Amaro Nonino. And in a Boulevardier, the high wheat content introduces a softer, more honeyed counterpoint to the Campari's bitterness.

Best For

• Bourbon drinkers exploring wheat whiskey for the first time
• Gifting to a whiskey collector drawn to unusual mashbills
• Side-by-side tastings comparing wheat, rye, and corn-forward American whiskeys
• After-dinner sipping alongside dessert courses

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Old Elk Wheat taste like? Old Elk Wheat Whiskey leads with honeyed caramel and ripe peach, backed by dried fig, vanilla, and a soft breadiness from the wheat grain. Despite its 100-proof strength, it drinks remarkably smooth with a medium-long, oak-driven finish.

How does Old Elk Wheat compare to 1792 Sweet Wheat? Both are wheated whiskeys, but Old Elk's 95% wheat mashbill is far more wheat-dominant than 1792 Sweet Wheat, which uses wheat as a secondary grain in a more traditional bourbon-style recipe. Old Elk also bottles at 100 proof versus 1792 Sweet Wheat's 91.2 proof, giving it more intensity and heat on the palate.

Is Old Elk Wheat good for sipping neat? Yes — the Slow-Cut® proofing process and high wheat percentage create a noticeably soft texture that invites neat drinking, even at 100 proof. A splash of water opens up additional fruit and grain nuances.

Where is Old Elk Wheat made? Old Elk Distillery is based in Fort Collins, Colorado, but this wheat whiskey is distilled at the MGP/Ross & Squibb distillery in Indiana. It is aged, proofed using the Slow-Cut® method, and bottled under Old Elk's supervision.

What foods pair well with Old Elk Wheat? Aged Gouda or Gruyère complement the caramel sweetness. Stone-fruit desserts like peach cobbler echo the whiskey's natural fruit notes. Honey-glazed roasted pork plays off the vanilla and oak. Dark chocolate with sea salt highlights the wheat grain's subtle bitterness. Warm bread pudding mirrors the yeasty, bready undertones.

What sizes does Old Elk Wheat come in? The standard offering is a 750ML bottle, which is the most widely available format for this expression.

Is Old Elk Wheat worth the price? Old Elk Wheat Whiskey positions in the mid-premium tier for American whiskey. Its minimum five-year age statement, 100-proof bottling strength, highly unusual 95% wheat mashbill, and multiple awards — including a Double Gold at Whiskies of the World 2023 — provide strong value relative to its price point in the category.

Why Old Elk Wheat?

The 95% soft red winter wheat mashbill places this expression in rarefied territory; very few American whiskeys push wheat content anywhere near this level. That grain dominance, combined with the proprietary Slow-Cut® proofing method, produces a texture and flavor profile that genuinely stands apart from standard wheated bourbons. Its Double Gold, Best in Class recognition at the 2023 Whiskies of the World Awards and a Gold Medal from the Beverage Testing Institute confirm it performs at a high level in competitive blind evaluation. For anyone seeking a wheat whiskey that fully commits to its grain bill rather than treating wheat as a supporting player, Old Elk Wheat Whiskey makes a compelling case.