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Classification: Rye Finished in Port Casks
Company: Oaklore Distilling Co.
Distillery: Sourced from Southern Distilling
Release Date: June 2025
Proof: 92
Age: NAS (6+ year old rye finished in port casks for an additional 12-18 months according to the company’s website)
Mashbill: 70% Rye, 20% Corn, 10% Malted Barley
Color: Red Amber
MSRP: $100 / 750mL (2025)
Dark cherry | Raisin | Sugarcane | Milk chocolate
Heavy Luxardo cherry | Raspberry jam | Raisin | Seasoned oak | Malted milk balls candy | Full-flavored
Dark cherry | Raisin | Red currant | Building spice | Long
An unsuspecting North Carolina distilled rye finished in port barrels that turns out to be one of the best port barrel finished whiskeys of 2025.
Oaklore Distilling Co. was founded by neighbors Tom Bogan and Matt Simpkins. What started out as discovering a shared love for whiskey while walking their children to elementary school evolved into a full-time distillery in Matthews, North Carolina. Eventually, the pair picked up Travis Masters to round out their partnership. The company currently does not distill, instead sourcing whiskey from Jackson Purchase Distillery in Kentucky and Southern Distilling in North Carolina. The company ages their whiskey in North Carolina’s Piedmont area, which they state “is an ideal climate, particularly when it comes to barrel aging.”
Oaklore’s Story Series: Port Cask Finish Straight Rye is a limited edition expression. Ryes included in the blend were first aged for 6+ years in char #2 and char #3 barrels, then transferred to port barrels where they aged for 12-18 months. According to the company, “The port wine barrels were originally used for almost two decades in Solera Method port wine production before being repurposed by Oaklore Distilling Co. for finishing.”
Despite its modest 92 proof point, Oaklore Story Series: Port Cask Finish Straight Rye is a full-flavored affair. The aroma brings dark cherry, raisin, and sugarcane that are underscored by a slight yet impactful milk chocolate note. Heavy (and delicious) Luxardo cherry on the palate gives way to raspberry jam, raisin, and seasoned oak. Similar to milk chocolate in the aroma, an unsuspecting yet subtle malted milk balls candy note emerges and stands out despite its relatively minor intensity. Dark cherry, raisin, and red currant round out the finish, which is long due to a building spice.
Oaklore Distilling Co. is a distillery few have likely heard of outside their geographical reach in North Carolina, but this release should put them on your radar. Many distillers and producers have tinkered with port finishes to varying results, but this release is one of the best yet.
