Old Elk Distillery burst onto the bourbon scene in 2013 with a unique mash bill and compelling story Their highly regarded bourbon quickly developed a cult following. With bourbonmania in full swing, fans soon asked “Is Old Elk bourbon hard to find?”
For a new craft distiller wide distribution is unusual. But through sourcing and contracted distillation Old Elk expanded nationwide. Yet many liquor stores still lack this sought-after bourbon. Understanding Old Elk’s path to growth helps answer whether their bourbon is hard to find.
The Origins of Old Elk Bourbon
To grasp Old Elk’s availability, it’s important to understand their origins. Key facts:
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Founded in 2013 in Fort Collins Colorado by entrepreneur Curt Richardson.
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Led by Master Distiller Greg Metze, formerly of MGP distillery for 38 years.
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Named after the old elk statue in Fort Collins’ historic area.
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Contracted a unique mash bill with MGP – 51% corn, 34% malted barley, 15% rye. Much more barley than most.
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Aged and blended sourced whiskey from MGP and other providers.
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Built their own Fort Collins distillery in 2016. Now blends own distillate into products.
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Flagship bourbon uses a 5 year age statement.
How Old Elk Achieved Wide Distribution
Despite being a young craft distiller, Old Elk achieved national distribution quickly through:
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Sourcing – Contracting MGP for custom distillate enabled aged stock instantly.
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Partners – Additional sourced whiskey from undisclosed partners added aged depth.
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Expertise – Greg Metze’s connections facilitated sourcing high-quality whiskey.
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Investment – Old Elk’s substantial financial backing fueled rapid growth.
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Automation – Highly automated distillery scaled production capabilities.
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Regional Focus – Targeted regional saturation before expanding nationally.
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Brand Building – Distinctive branding and mash bill created buzz.
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Awards – Early quality awards validated credibility.
How Available is Old Elk Bourbon Today?
Despite national distribution, Old Elk can still be elusive:
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Regional Gaps – Some regions have little or no distribution currently.
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Limited Allocations – Most stores receive only a few cases annually. Bottles sell fast.
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Bar & Restaurant Focus – Allocation favors on-premise accounts over liquor stores.
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Curated Selections – Many stores opt for a limited Old Elk selection.
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Competition – Fierce competition between stores to get rare bourbon.
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Hoarding – Bourbon flippers buy to resell at high markups when possible.
The blend of rising popularity and limited supply makes Old Elk bottles rarely sit on shelves for long despite growing production.
Tips for Finding Old Elk Bourbon
Hunting down Old Elk requires using bourbon hunting strategies:
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Search Online – Websites like Wine-Searcher can locate stores with inventory.
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Visit Frequently – Regularly check local liquor stores for surprise deliveries.
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Ask Store Staff – Develop relationships with staff to get allocation updates.
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Join Waiting Lists – Boutique stores often have waiting lists for rare bourbon.
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Buy Bar Pours – When found at bars, consider buying a full pour instead of a taste.
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Buy By the Case – Some stores offer discounts for purchasing full cases.
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Buy Other Offerings – Consider Old Elk’s rye, wheat, malt, and special releases.
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Buy Online – Check specialist online liquor stores shipping to your state.
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Trade Samples – Trading samples with bourbon-hunting friends can expose new options.
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Travel Through Distribution Gaps – Search while visiting areas with better Old Elk inventory.
With the right strategies and persistence, locating bottles is possible even in competitive markets.
Is the Search Worth It?
Only you can decide if Old Elk is worth the effort to obtain. Reviews are mixed:
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Mash Bill – The unique mash bill delivers uncommon flavors.
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Smoothness – The malted barley creates a smooth, easy drinking profile.
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Value – The $40-50 price point is high for the age. Better value options exist.
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Availability – Plenty of stellar, readily available bourbons cost far less.
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Flavor Profile – The flavor profile lacks complexity and maturity compared to favorites.
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Brand Allure – Much of the mania stems from the brand and story, rather than taste.
Ultimately flavors are personal preference. If your tastes align with Old Elk’s flavor profile, the hunt may be worthwhile.
Final Thoughts
While scarce, Old Elk bottles can be found through dedication and smart strategies. But be sure the juice measures up to the effort. With so many high-quality bourbons on shelves, make sure the hunt for Old Elk stems from your passion for the liquid itself, not the hype.
Top 10 Bourbons You Should be Hunting RIGHT NOW! (May Be Allocated Soon) – Bourbon Real Talk 157
FAQ
What distillery makes Old Elk Bourbon?
Who owns Old Elk Bourbon?
Is Yellowstone bourbon hard to find?
Is old Elk Bourbon a good Bourbon?
Old Elk Bourbon is carefully crafted and intended to be a smooth bourbon with mass appeal. The company succeeds in that goal. At $50 it is premium priced, and its 88 proof won’t necessarily excite more die-hard enthusiasts. But this is a premium bourbon intended for the masses.
Where is Old Elk bourbon whiskey made?
Old Elk Blended Straight Bourbon Whiskey’s incredibly smooth and innovative Colorado bourbon whiskey is proudly crafted in our Fort Collins Colorado distillery.
How much does Old Elk Bourbon cost?
Distillery: Old Elk (sourced from MGP) Type & Region: Wheated bourbon, USA Alcohol: 59.75% Composition: 51% corn, 45% wheat, 4% malted barley Aged: 7 years Color: 1.5/2.0 on the color scale (auburn, polished mahogany) Price: $80 From the company website:
Does old Elk make better whiskey?
Old Elk says that it helps create a better whiskey because it minimizes the amount of heat generated when water and alcohol mix (in very large amounts that you would have batching whiskey, not when you add water to your glass of bourbon). I had no idea that was a thing, but that’s chemistry for you, and oh boy I was terrible at it in high school.