Charlotte, North Carolina (September 2026) – Oaklore Distilling Co. is proud to announce that its upcoming limited release, Oaklore Story Series: Prohibition Oak Cask Finished Four Grain Bourbon Whiskey, has been awarded Double Gold at the 2026 New York World Spirits Competition.

The award comes as Oaklore prepares to release the whiskey in October 2026, adding another highly distinctive expression to the Charlotte distillery's Story Series collection.

Oaklore's Prohibition Oak Cask Finish begins with their classic Four Grain Bourbon, aged for more than 4 years in new American white oak barrels. The whiskey then spends an additional 2+ years double oaking in a second set of new American white oak barrels before undergoing its final maturation: 6 to 12 months with toasted staves crafted from oak harvested and dry-aged since the Prohibition era.

"A whiskey more than a century in the making, this release is really about patience, history and the impact that wood can have on a finished whiskey," said Thomas Bogan, Co-Founder at Oaklore Distilling Co. "Working with oak that dates back to the Prohibition era gave us an opportunity to connect a remarkable piece of American whiskey history with what we're creating today in North Carolina."

The result is a deeply layered bourbon with an aroma of Bit-O-Honey™ and fresh leather, a palate featuring brandied oak and spiced marmalade, and a finish of sweet walnut bitters. The whiskey is non-chill filtered and bottled at 96 proof (48% ABV).

The Double Gold recognition from the New York World Spirits Competition adds to a growing list of accolades for Oaklore's Story Series, a collection built around limited releases that explore unique finishing techniques and tell a distinct story through whiskey.

"Winning Double Gold is an incredible validation of what our team set out to create with this release," said Bogan. "But what makes this whiskey especially meaningful to us is the story behind it. We're putting something in the bottle that connects more than a century of American whiskey history with the next chapter of Oaklore."

Oaklore Story Series: Prohibition Oak Cask Finished Four Grain Bourbon Whiskey will be available beginning in October 2026 at a suggested retail price of $69.95 per 750 mL bottle. Distribution will be limited in North Carolina and South Carolina, with national shipping available through Oaklore's online store at shop.oakloredistilling.com (currently available for pre-sale purchase and will start shipping nationally in October on a first-come-first-serve basis).

Built on the idea of community and shared stories, Oaklore Distilling Co. has rapidly distinguished itself as one of the most exciting new whiskey producers in America—proving that its meteoric rise is no accident, but the result of relentless dedication to quality and craft.

Follow Oaklore Distilling Co. on Instagram and Facebook. To learn more, visit www.oakloredistilling.com.

ABOUT OAKLORE DISTILLING CO.
Built on the idea of community, Oaklore Distilling Co. in Charlotte, NC celebrates great spirits and the stories that come along with them. Born of friendship and passion in 2017 Matt Simpkins, Thomas Bogan, and Travis Masters have spent years learning the art of distilling and crafting Oaklore's signature line of spirits. Oaklore spirits – 100 percent Carolina crafted – are created with dedication to the process, ingredients, quality, and presentation. Oaklore Distilling Co. was named No.1 distillery by the Charlotte Observer's Best in 2023 and 2024. For more information, visit www.oakloredistilling.com.