Elkins Distilling Colorado Whisky

Recently we made a trip up to Estes Park and stopped into the first and only distillery in the city. Before we jump into the review, let’s start by appreciating the view out of the front of the distillery.

While it was still chilly outside, it was a gorgeous day and this was an amazing view to start our time at the distillery.

Estes park has some interesting laws when it comes to a distillery, and speaking with the owners they had to work with the city for a long time to just get the place opened. As it stands now, they can not barrel age any of their products at this time, but are hoping to have the laws worked so that they can start barreling their whisky right away. In the meantime, you can buy a bottle of whisky aged with wood chips on a much smaller scale. We will be doing both bottles today that we purchased, their white whisky and their aged Colorado Whisky.

We are gonna start off with the white whisky.

The Mash Bill on this is 80% Corn and 20% Malted Barley.

Color: Crystal Clear.

Nose: This is a very sweet corn heavy nose, with just a light hint of malted barley. There is definitely some alcohol on the nose, but not too much.

Palate: The palate is extremely clean, obviously tons of corn flavors that stay through the entire sip. There are some notes of malted barley on the end of the mid palate and into the finish, and a bit of a creamy mouth feel. For a 50% ABV Whisky, it is remarkably smooth sip that is very enjoyable.

W/ Water, the nose is almost exactly the same, but a bit less alcohol on it. The palate is also very similar with water, but a bit more toned down on all the flavors.

Ratings:
A: 85/100
Z: 83/100
O: 84/100

Now on to their aged Whisky

The same mash bill as the white corn whisky, but not aged in the same way that most whiskys are. As we mentioned earlier, the laws in the city of Estes Park prevent them from aging using standard barrels, instead using small barrels or wood chips. Let’s jump into it.

Color: A very clear, pale golden hue.

Nose: Heavy sweet corn notes, with hints of malt and notes of oak. Molasses and vanilla come through, some caramel, brown sugar and oak.

Palate: Nice, smooth sip with lots of sweet corn that is complimented nicely with flavors of molasses and oak with some hints of malt. A wood flavor comes through, and it leaves a pleasant, sweet, and lingering finish.

With Water:

Nose: A lot more molasses comes out a lot more, but the main nose is sweet corn with the same oak and malt notes.

Palate: Some notes of peppercorn come through a bit more on the palate, but that sweet corn flavor still dominates the palate. The finish still has the sweet, molasses, brown sugar, and oak flavors coming through.

Rating:
A: 87/100
Z: 90/100
O: 89/100

This whisky is warm and inviting, and drinking it made us want to pour a glass on a patio in the mountains, perhaps next to a lake. Luckily, that is exactly where they are located, so be sure to head up and check them out!