Old Elk Straight Wheat Whiskey Review

Distillery: MGP – Lawrenceburg, Indiana

Proof: 100.0 (50.0% ABV)

Age: Five Years

Mashbill: 95% Soft Red Winter Wheat, 5% Malted Barley

MSRP: $67

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Soft Sweetness.  Tangy Finish.

Old Elk leans heavily into grain-driven releases, and their Straight Wheat Whiskey is a clear example of that philosophy.  Crafted from a mash bill of 95% soft red winter wheat and 5% malted barley, this 100-proof, five-year expression sits in a category where subtlety can equal sameness.  Old Elk uses a slow proofing approach which often pushes their whiskeys toward sweeter, softer profiles.

How does this high wheat expression hold up in the glass?

Old Elk Straight Wheat Whiskey Review: Tasting Notes

Nose – 3.5/5

Milk chocolate.  Green apple.  Grassy.  Astringent.  Light vanilla.

Strengths:  The chocolate note is unique for a wheat whiskey, giving the Nose an unexpected surprise. The grassy character signals the grain expression.
Why It’s Not Higher:  There’s a persistent astringency that pulls attention away from the softer dessert-like tones.  Feels uneven, as though the fruit, grain, and oak are each moving in separate directions.
Rating Justification:   Engaging and distinctive.  The sharper edges keep it from delivering the full aromatic experience that an enthusiast might expected at this price point.

Palate – 3.7/5

Caramel.  Butterscotch.  Tart green apple.  Light oak.  Soft grain sweetness.

Strengths:  The caramel-and-butterscotch notes bring a welcome richness.  Texture is soft, easy, and recognizably wheat-forward.
Why It’s Not Higher:  The tartness from the apple note occasionally overshadows the sweeter elements. A faint yeast-like character emerges mid-Palate.
Rating Justification:  Flavors are pleasant with a few standout sweet notes.  The structure lacks layers found by stronger contenders in the wheated whiskey category.

Finish – 3.4/5

Light oak. Grain. Lingering tang. Faint dried fruit.  

Strengths:  The first moments of the Finish are soft and slightly sweet.  A clean exit that stays consistent with the Palate.
Why It’s Not Higher:  A pronounced tang surfaces on the very end, creating a sharp contrast with an otherwise gentle profile.  The Finish drops off quickly and doesn’t carry an extended experience.
Rating Justification:  Pleasant but abbreviated.  The tangy after-note limits the overall impression.

Value – 3.5/5

At $67, this sits on the higher end of mid-shelf wheat whiskeys.  The whiskey delivers solid sweetness, definitive grain character, and a few distinctive notes.  It doesn’t rise into the complexity or richness that would likely justify the price for most enthusiasts.  For fans of wheat-dominant profiles or Old Elk loyalists, the bottle offers a specific flavor niche, but others may find more “rounded” options for the same or lower cost.

Old Elk Straight Wheat Whiskey Review: The Verdict

This is a Silver-tier whiskey that showcases Old Elk’s grain-forward approach but doesn’t entirely overcome its sharper edges.  The caramel and butterscotch on the Palate shine brightest, while the astringency on the Nose and tang on the Finish limit the overall experience.  A solid pour—one built on grain character more than depth.  Not quite the standout its price point suggests. Shop now.

Verdict – 3.5/5

We score each bourbon based on nose, palate, finish, and value.

Scoring System:

• Platinum – 4.5 – 5
• Gold – 4 – 4.5
• Silver – 3 – 4
• Bronze – <3