Old Elk Infinity Blend 2023 Review

BOTTLE DETAILS

• DISTILLER: Old Elk Distillery
• MASH BILL: 15.3% Infinity Blend 2022 + 40% Old Elk High Malt Bourbon + 44.7% Old Elk Straight Wheat Whiskey
• AGE: A blend of whiskeys 7-13 years old
• YEAR: 2023
• PROOF: 115.15 proof
• MSRP: $150

DREW'S NOTES

SHARE WITH: Your friends who have their own infinity blends at home. Chances are very good that this is way better.

WORTH THE PRICE: It's a hefty asking price, especially considering this is mostly seven- and eight-year-old whiskey. Despite that, it's another impressive blend from Greg Metze and the Old Elk team and well-deserving of its SRP.

BOTTLE, BAR OR BUST: Bottle. On the heels of a stellar 2022 release, this latest Infinity project from Old Elk is another great release worthy of a spot on your bar. Maybe put it next to your personal "infinity blend" (which you should probably get rid of, anyway).

OVERALL: During his 38 years at MGP, 14 of them as Master Distiller, Greg Metze gave the world a ton of great whiskey, albeit often anonymously. A lot of distillers would hang up their whiskey thief after a career that successful but not Greg. His second act took him to Colorado and the Old Elk Distillery, where he's finally getting some well-deserved recognition and having a lot of fun building a portfolio of truly unique and artful whiskeys.

Perhaps the most impressive has been his annual Infinity Blend. First released in 2021, the project is modeled on the trend of homemade "infinity blends" whereby whiskey lovers continually add new whiskey to a vatting of other whiskeys (usually in a decanter filled with half measures left from a favorite or not-so-favorite bottle). Those who might see this as a gimmick should look no further than the blend breakdown, which notes a significant portion of the previous year's Infinity Blend, a base that would be hard to just blend over. There's also a pinch of 10-year-old wheat whiskey, a top dressing that one imagines Greg probably thought long and hard about.

So how is it?

The nose on this latest release is expressive and elegant, burly initially with damp oak and cigar box notes that quickly sweeten to cream soda, buttery cinnamon apples, and Little Debbie Oatmeal Pies. As it opens, chewy caramel and butter cake ooze from the glass. On the palate, things are more straightforward but exceptionally balanced, with notes of praline pecans, cinnamon toast, and peach pie. My one criticism is that it's just a little thin and light-bodied for a whiskey rich in aroma and flavor. While a minor nit to pick, that softer body actually serves to make it even more approachable and that much more drinkable. The finish lingers despite being almost effervescent, delivering notes of rich simple syrup and chocolate-covered raisins.

As you can see in the brand notes below, Old Elk promotes Infinity Blend as a liquid autobiography of Greg's long and distinguished career. As long as he keeps delivering whiskeys like this one, let's hope he doesn't take a second retirement any time soon.

BRAND NOTES

We are proud to announce the third annual release of Master Distiller Greg Metze’s Infinity Blend Series. A testament to legacy and supreme craftsmanship, this new limited release is built on the foundation of the 2022 Infinity Blend and completed with gently matured and hand selected barrels of Old Elk Straight Bourbon Whiskey and Old Elk Straight Wheat Whiskey.

This year’s annual release of the Infinity Blend exemplifies what makes infinity bottles so unique. Like enthusiasts who blend fractions of their favorites in an unmarked decanter over time, Greg has created this blend to showcase his legacy and supreme artisanship – akin to an autobiography of a long and distinguished career. The 2023 Infinity Blend becomes an occasion to remember each of the good times shared while looking forward to new opportunities forged over a glass of whiskey.

Disclaimer: Bourbon & Banter received a sample of this product from the brand for review. We appreciate their willingness to allow us to review their products with no strings attached. Thank you.