Old Elk Port Cask Finish Bourbon
51% Corn, 34% Wheat, 15% Malted Barley
108.7pf
Take note of the name prominently scribed on the front label - Greg Metze. A veteran master distiller, Metze may just be one of today’s most prominent distillers you’ve rarely heard of. Former master distiller at MGP - the Indiana distillery behind many sourced brands along with their well-known 95% rye - Metze resigned from his role there in 2016 to venture into the bourbon consulting business. He now works exclusively with Old Elk Distillery.
Similar to the Cognac Cask Finish Bourbon, Old Elk’s High Malt Bourbon serves as the base for the Port Cask Finish Bourbon as well. The High Malt Bourbon uses Old Elk’s standard mash bill of 51% corn, 34% malted barley and 15% rye. The bourbon is matured for at least 5 years, then finished in 59 gallon Port casks for another 10 months to a year. It is bottled at a barrel proof of 108.1, which is a much higher proof than is used for their standard 88 proof bourbon.
Port and red wine flavors are present throughout the sip. The port itself is noticeable in the nose and taste, but in the finish it takes on a more full bodied red wine character. The wine and port flavors are not overpowering, but they are definitely discernible. There is also plenty of brown sugar, caramel, raisin and spice to balance things out, giving the Old Elk Port Finish Bourbon rich full flavors.