Creating Infinity With Old Elk

Cocktails Distilled

As happens when any particular spirit booms, the US saw a barrage of sourced whiskey come onto the market when the interest in Bourbon began to peak. But one brand, Old Elk, decided to turn sourcing on its head.

They went, as a lot of sourced Bourbon brands had before them, to the massive Lawrenceberg, Indiana distillery, MGP but rather than just accept a little bit of tweaking on the liquid, they engaged Master Distiller Greg Metze to create a whole new mash bill.

That collaboration would not only see a unique spirit produced but also ended up with Metze taking the reins as the brand's master distiller.

We talk to the man who has really been at the helm of old elk since its inception about smooth Bourbon, malted barley, and the legacy that comes from Infinity.

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1. Creating Infinity With Old Elk (00:00:00)

2. Now, it's unusual for a bourbon to be sourced by the guy who made it as well. (00:01:45)

3. Now. In 34 years of distilling, though, you must have seen the liquid of a lot of brands. I am surprised though, that they none had asked you to create mash bills before now. (00:03:33)

4. Now I believe that when Old Elk approached you, they gave you two words to work from. (00:05:25)

5. It must have been quite exciting to be in a situation where you could create those. (00:10:48)

6. So even, even though you've distilled countless number of bourbons, old Elk would pretty much be your legacy then? (00:11:43)

7. Now, the brand talks about elevating the bourbon landscape in this day and age. How difficult is that to do? (00:12:26)

8. Talk to us about the brand's slow cut proofing process. (00:14:01)

9. You have a particular passion for smooth bourbons, is that why Old Elk approached you (00:18:06)

10. How important is bringing new flavours to the table when it comes to releasing a bourbon? (00:19:28)

11. Which do you prefer creating blends or creating mash bills? (00:23:12)

12. If people are approaching the Infinity 2022 for the first time, what do you want them to take away from the expression? (00:24:14)

13. I imagine the smoothness of the Infinity, though, does lend itself quite well to cocktails. (00:25:24)

14. What sort of flavours and aromas would they be getting from the spirit? (00:26:23)

15. I believe that Old Elk is available in all 50 states. (00:27:43)

16. Will you be looking to export outside of the US at any point? (00:28:50)

17. What should people expect for the future from Old Elk? (00:29:27)

18. What has the consumer reaction to Old Elk been? (00:31:10)

19. Which expression would be your favourite? (00:33:10)