The great Greg Metze was already there to greet us.

After a quick hotel check-in, we headed on foot to The Reserve, Old Elk’s downtown restaurant, bar, and tasting room. On the way, Alex shared an un-scripted history of the company and some background on Fort Collins, particularly how Old Elk came to be and how it plays into the broader portfolio of businesses owned by Richardson. An hour north of Denver, the drive to Fort Collins is a straight shot, with flat land for miles, signs of explosive property development everywhere you look, and a clear view of the Rocky Mountains out the left hand window that stretches as far as you can see. ‍ Upon arriving, a whirlwind of activity ensued. Alex’s thought was simple - have everyone out to Fort Collins to pick some barrels, meet the Old Elk team, and see what the distillery is up to. Over the past few years we have gotten to know Alex Cottle, Old Elk’s Director of Sales - Control States & Independent Markets, but more personally, someone I had gotten to know as the guy who scrambles to get single barrel samples in hand, answers any questions I have, and is on the same track as me personally with a child of the same age. And as the layers of the company were peeled back, they revealed who Old Elk is beyond just the whiskey they are known for. A few weeks ago members of the Bourbon Community Roundtable including Jordan and I, Kenny Coleman and Ryan Cecil ( Bourbon Pursuit), and Blake Riber ( Seelbach’s and Bourbonr), had the opportunity to visit Old Elk Distillery, get to know the company, select and blend barrels, and much more. Old Elk operates their own distillery in Colorado, but most of the distillate comes from MGP.just not the way you might think it does. Established in 2013, Old Elk has grown quickly, surpassing 100,000 cases and climbing last year, and is now available in all 50 states. The distillery was founded by Curt Richardson, a name most synonymous with his first major endeavor Otterbox, the wildly successful cell phone case company many of you probably trust encasing your phone as you read this. An hour north of Denver, Fort Collins Colorado is a charming city that features low rise buildings, the Rocky Mountains in the background, and happens to be the home of Old Elk Distillery.

Old elk bourbon fort collins