Old Elk Distillery

Old Elk Distillery carries the weight of history while pushing whiskey forward. Founded in Fort Collins, Colorado in 2013 by OtterBox entrepreneur Curt Richardson, the operation revived a trademark dating to 1880 Lexington, Kentucky. What began as careful curation has evolved into genuine innovation under master distiller Greg Metze.

History & Heritage

Richardson acquired the Old Elk trademark and breathed new life into the century-old brand in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains. The distillery brought aboard Greg Metze in 2016, a veteran with four decades in whiskey production. Middle West Spirits acquired Old Elk in 2025, marking another chapter in the brand's journey from Kentucky origins to Colorado craft.

The Whiskey

Old Elk produces bourbon, wheat whiskey, and rye whiskey, each shaped by their proprietary Slow Cut proofing process. Where most distilleries add water over days, Old Elk takes weeks, maintaining cooler temperatures to preserve delicate flavors developed during production. Their high-malt bourbon mash bill creates a distinctive flavor profile that sets their expressions apart. The portfolio includes their Blended Straight Bourbon, Straight Wheat Whiskey, Straight Rye, Wheated Bourbon, and Infinity Blend, plus various cask-finished expressions.

Why It Matters

Old Elk earned recognition as Colorado Distillery of the Year twice running, and Metze claimed Master Distiller of the Year honors in 2024. Their commitment to the Slow Cut process and high-malt approach demonstrates that innovation need not sacrifice tradition. For those who appreciate good whiskey, Old Elk represents the careful evolution of American whiskey, where Rocky Mountain precision meets time-honored craft.