Old Elk Cognac Cask Finish is a limited release from Old Elk's Cask Finish Series, its signature high-malt bourbon finished in French Cognac casks and bottled at 109.7 proof (54.85% ABV).
Old Elk was founded in 2013 by entrepreneur Curt Richardson, who brought in master distiller Greg Metze to create a legacy bourbon. Its high-malt mash bill gives a softer, rounder bourbon, and resting it in Cognac casks marries the spicy sweetness of American bourbon with the refined fruitiness of French brandy.
The Cognac casks bring dried fruit and gentle sweetness over the caramel and oak of the bourbon.
A cross-cultural finish in Old Elk's distinctive bottle, it makes a fine gift for bourbon and Cognac lovers.
Sip it neat, then add a few drops of water.
Bourbon must be made in the United States from a mash of at least 51% corn and aged in new charred oak containers, and straight bourbon must be aged at least two years. Those rules give bourbon its characteristic sweetness, with caramel and vanilla drawn from the charred barrels.
Bourbon must be made in the United States from a mash of at least 51% corn and aged in new charred oak containers; Old Elk raises the share of malted barley in its recipe well above the usual level, which it credits for a smoother, sweeter profile.
Cask finishing means moving a fully matured whiskey into a second barrel that previously held another drink, here Cognac, for an extra period so it picks up some of that cask's character.
Old Elk also uses a slow-cut proofing process, bringing the whiskey down to bottling strength gradually over several weeks rather than all at once.
Cognac is a grape brandy from the Cognac region of western France, double distilled in copper pot stills and aged in French oak, so its casks carry fruit and floral notes.
Tasting Notes
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Base: High-malt bourbon.
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Finish: French Cognac casks.
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Strength: 109.7 proof.
Specifications
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Producer: Old Elk
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Style: Bourbon Whiskey, Cognac Cask Finish
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Expression / Batch: Cask Finish Series
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Proof / ABV: 109.7 proof (54.85% ABV)
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Cask / Finish: Finished in French Cognac casks
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Region: Fort Collins, Colorado, United States
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Size: 750ml
How to Enjoy It
Sip it neat or with a little water. It pairs with dried fruit, crème brûlée or a cigar.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the base whiskey?
Old Elk's high-malt bourbon.
How is it finished?
In French Cognac casks.
What proof is it?
109.7 proof.
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