Patient Proofing for Smoother Bourbon

Traditionally, the bourbon proofing process takes 24-48 hours. However, we choose to do it for significantly longer (weeks instead of days) and in smaller increments to keep the liquid cool when going from barrel to bottling proof. We call this patient technique our “Slow Cut™” proofing process which is used for our flagship bourbon. We see this critical Slow Cut™ proofing step as not only adding to the ideal “smooth and rich” character of Old Elk Bourbon, but also demonstrating our ongoing commitment to making the highest quality and smoothest bourbon whiskey without cutting any corners and giving the product the right amount time it needs to be the very best.

To proof alcohol, water is added until the liquid has reached a desired strength. When water is added to alcohol, heat is generated. At a distillery scale, hundreds of gallons of water are used at a time – enough to burn off many of the lighter, finer bourbon flavors. Our choice to proof differently means that we can bottle every last drop of flavor, and retain the smoothness that is unique to Old Elk. While our Slow Cut™ proofing process takes significantly longer than most common recipes, taking the time to proof slowly makes all the difference.

We started with passion and vision: to transcend tradition by creating a timeless bourbon recipe and innovative process that elevates the bourbon landscape. This evolved into the collaboration of Old Elk Distillery with Master Distiller Greg Metze, whose visionary leadership refined and enhanced the Old Elk bourbon recipe to create a top shelf bourbon.

Old Elk Distillery is currently a production facility, with a vision to open a larger distillery in Colorado. The Old Elk Blended Straight Bourbon Whiskey recipe was created by the Old Elk Distillery team and Greg Metze. To help age and blend the bourbon whiskey, Old Elk worked with three key partners to ensure the quality and consistency of our barrel-aged blended bourbon. Every Old Elk Bourbon barrel is hand-selected by our distilling team, where they follow sensory and sampling criteria to ensure the barrels create a consistent blended profile year after year.

Gold | 2020 International Whisky Competition
Gold | 2018 San Francisco World Spirits Competition
90 Points | 2018 Wine Enthusiast
Gold | 2017 Breckenridge Craft Spirits Festival
2016 & 2017 Colorado Distillery of the Year | New York International Spirits Competition

Learn more about Old Elk Distillery’s exclusive barrel program featuring Old Elk Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Straight Wheat Whiskey, and Wheated Straight Bourbon Whiskey. We’d love to share more information on how to purchase a barrel or find a bottle of cask-strength Old Elk Whiskeys.