Old Elk Straight Rye Whiskey Review.

    Old Elk has become one of those instantly recognizable bottles on the shelf, from the unique shape to that signature antler topper. While the brand is known for sourcing and experimenting with different finishes, they’ve carved out a solid reputation for picking quality barrels. This particular bottle came as a bit of a lucky find, scored on clearance, which always makes a review a little more exciting.

    

    Old Elk’s Straight Rye uses the well-known Indiana mash bill of 95% rye and 5% malted barley, distilled by MGP. Rather than finishing or altering the whiskey, this release leans into a more traditional approach, letting the base distillate and barrel selection do the talking. Given Old Elk’s track record, the real question becomes how well they’ve selected and blended these barrels to stand out in a crowded rye category.

For the full video review visit the link here: https://youtu.be/3_GjX985gfI.

Age Statement: 5 years.

ABV: 50%.

Mash bill: 95% rye & 5% malted barley.

Area of Distillation: Lawrenceburg, Indiana.

Appearance: Golden hue.


On the nose:

    Leans right into that classic Indiana rye profile with a sweet herbal note up front—eucalyptus, light dill, and just a touch of that medicinal edge. It’s balanced nicely by a warm, bready sweetness that comes across like rye bread or even a soft brioche. Spice builds as it opens with cinnamon and clove leading the way, backed by a hint of nutmeg. There’s also a subtle potpourri-like note—those holiday spice mixes with dried citrus and clove, that adds a nice layer of complexity. Light oak brings in touches of vanilla and caramel, rounding everything out.

Taste:

   Spice hits first with clove, black pepper, and a steady wave of cinnamon heat. The herbal character carries over from the nose, giving it that signature MGP rye feel. Mid-palate, a softer sweetness comes through, rock candy, a hint of orchard fruit, and that lingering rye bread note. There’s a slight oiliness that helps coat the palate and gives it a fuller mouthfeel. Oak sits in the background with light vanilla and caramel, adding structure without taking over. The 100 proof brings a noticeable warmth, but it stays balanced and keeps the flavors moving.

Finish:

   Medium length with spice leading the way, cinnamon, clove, and a bit of black pepper sticking around the longest. There’s a light drying oak note toward the end, along with a faint sweetness that echoes back to the palate. The warmth lingers just enough to give it a satisfying close without being overpowering, keeping things clean and classic.

Final Thoughts: 

    This is a really solid example of what a well-selected MGP rye can deliver. It hits all the classic notes, sweet herbal character, layered baking spice, and just enough sweetness to keep it approachable, without feeling one-dimensional. There’s a nice balance between the spice and sweetness, and the 100 proof gives it enough presence to stay interesting sip after sip. Where it really shines is in its consistency. From nose to finish, it delivers exactly what you’d hope for from this style of rye, and it does it well. That said, pricing plays a big role here. 

    Around the $60 mark, it feels like a fair and enjoyable pickup. Closer to $40, it’s an easy recommendation and a great value. Once it starts creeping toward $80, it becomes a tougher sell given the age and competition in that range. Still, there’s no denying this is a well-executed rye with strong classic appeal.

Rating: -A (Amazing).

Cost: $41.99 for 750ml.

For the full video review visit the link here: https://youtu.be/3_GjX985gfI.

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