Breaking Bourbon Award Winning Single Barrel Club picks are selected by Breaking Bourbon, and whenever possible with the help of Patreon supporters. The bottles are made available to Patreon supporters first by pledge tier. If any bottles remain after all supporters have had an opportunity to purchase, they are made available to the public on a first come, first served basis. Each barrel is sponsored by a retailer partner, who sells the bottles directly to end purchasers.

SBC #22 Old Elk Bourbon (Standard Rye Mashbill) “Old Elk Crossing the Delaware”

Retailer Partner: Keg N Bottle

Classification: Straight Bourbon

Company: Old Elk Distillery

Distillery: MGP Ingredients, Inc.

Age: 5 Years

Proof: 106.8

Mashbill: 51% Corn, 34% Malted Barley, 15% Rye

Yield: 186 Bottles

Release Date: August 2020
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SBC #23 Old Elk Wheated Bourbon “American Gothic Elk”

Retailer Partner: Keg N Bottle

Classification: Straight Bourbon

Company: Old Elk Distillery

Distillery: MGP Ingredients, Inc.

Age: 5 Years

Proof: 115.1

Mashbill: 51% Corn, 45% Wheat, 4% Malted Barley

Yield: 198 Bottles

Release Date: August 2020

SBC #24 Old Elk Wheat Whiskey “Old Elka Lisa”

Retailer Partner: Keg N Bottle

Classification: Wheat Whiskey

Company: Old Elk Distillery

Distillery: MGP Ingredients, Inc.

Age: 6 Years

Proof: 114.4

Mashbill: 95% Wheat, 5% Malted Barley

Yield: 186 Bottles

Release Date: August 2020

For this pick, we partnered with Keg N Bottle out of California. A California retailer, Keg N Bottle was established in 1981 and has been in business for over 30 years. Keg N Bottle is known for strategically engineered “Liquor Walls” and “Beer Caves.” They carry every different type of liquor imaginable, a wine for every occasion, 1,500 different beers to make you “hoppy,” and over 1,250 different kegs to choose from. Additionally, Keg N Bottle offers national delivery of every single item from their massive selection.

What makes this release interesting is it’s comprised of three different barrels - a standard rye bourbon, a wheated bourbon, and a wheat whiskey. While they were not distilled at the Old Elk Distillery, they were distilled by Old Elk’s master distiller, Greg Metze, when he was previously working at MGP. This variation allows for bourbon drinkers to compare and contrast the flavor profiles resulting from the three different mashbills. Each ranging in age from about 5-6 years, it was fun to explore just how different barrels from the same mashbill and barrels from different mashbills contrasted one another. We walked away with a favorite from each mashbill, and we’re excited to see what others think.

For the custom stickers, we decided to have a little fun with a cartoon “Old Elk” character who happens to find himself in some of history’s more famous paintings.
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For the rye bourbon, our friend Olk Elk finds himself in Emanuel Leutze’s 1851 painting Crossing the Delaware, a scene that depicts George Washington crossing the Delaware River to mount a surprise attack during the American Revolutionary War on December 25, 1776. The bourbon’s unique and dynamic flavor profile surprised us and was unlike any of the other barrel samples offered. This surprise was no different than how the Hessian forces were surprised on the morning of December 26, when Washington mounted his surprise attack.

For the wheated bourbon, our friend Old Elk finds himself in Grand Wood’s 1930 American Gothic painting. While the painting’s name originates from the style of the house behind the farmer and his daughter, the look on the daughter’s face (often mistaken as the farmer’s wife), is reminiscent of the looks we’re inevitably going to get from our own wives as we envision ourselves enjoying this bourbon a bit too much.

For the wheat whiskey, good Old Olk finds himself the centerpiece of arguably the world’s most famous (and most parodied) piece of art in the world, Leonardo Da Vinci’s 1503 Mona Lisa. Being a barrel proof wheat whiskey we found this one really special, and the barrel we chose was the unanimous choice - there was no debate.

To make these picks even more memorable, the folks at Old Elk Distillery offered to have master distiller Greg Metze lead a virtual tasting once bottles are in-hand. Participants will have the ability to ask Greg questions and interact as we taste. Also joining will be Old Elk’s Alex Cottle, Keg N Bottle’s owner, Tony Konja, and of course the three of us Breaking Bourbon founders. There will be 50 three-packs available, and spots will be limited to the first 50 Patreon supporters who purchase a three-pack. More details will be released directly within the group.

Tasting Notes:
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SBC #22 Old Elk Bourbon (Standard Rye Mashbill) “Old Elk Crossing the Delaware”

Nose: Green tea | Peaches | Creme brulee | Cotton Candy | Musty note

Palate: Vanilla | Caramel | Grassy | Rye spice | Hint of youth

Finish: Black pepper | Dry apple | Wet oak | Musty on backend

This barrel offers a very unique and dynamic flavor profile compared to the other barrels presented, making for an easy choice.

SBC #23 Old Elk Wheated Bourbon “American Gothic Elk”

Nose: Burnt creme brulee | Caramelized brown sugar | Tinge of oak | Very sweet

Palate: Spicy kick | Brown sugar | Sweet-astringent balance | Full-flavored

Finish: Cinnamon | Walnut | Ramp up of heat | Leather | Lingering

This barrel is full of flavor and oomph, reminding you this is a barrel proof bourbon!

SBC #24 Old Elk Wheat Whiskey “Old Elka Lisa”

Nose: Peaches | Summer fruit | Light oak | Nice, light, and inviting

Palate: Summer fruits | Apricot | Butterscotch | Sweet overall

Finish: Sweet fruits | Seasoned oak | Astringency develops | Medium-length with tapering sweetness against developing oak

Unanimously the best of the three barrels presented, it offers a nice contrast between a sweet palate and oaky finish.

Distillers, Producers, and Retailers: If you would like to be a part of this program and get your name in front of millions of bourbon enthusiasts, contact us.

‍Please note these bottles will not be sold by Breaking Bourbon, but will be sold by retailers we partner with in order to fulfill the orders and ship the bottles directly to Patreon supporters. Breaking Bourbon will receive no compensation from our partner retailers under these agreements (with the exception of a bottle from each barrel for editorial purposes). If you represent a retailer and ship to consumers and you’re interested in partnering just let us know!