North Carolina’s Oaklore Distilling Co. Launches Limited-Edition Oaklore Port Cask Finish Rye Whiskey

North Carolina craft spirits innovator Oaklore Distilling Co. announces the release of its limited-edition Oaklore Story Series: Port Cask Finish Rye Whiskey (SPR: $99.95 for 750ml). Bottled at 92 proof, this 7-year-old, non-chill filtered small batch American Whiskey offers a fullness of character and a richness of color that is achieved through additional aging in freshly dumped, domestic port wine barrels. Only 90 bottles of this fine whiskey, which already scored a Double Gold Medal/96 Points at the New York International Spirits Competition, are available to ship nationally online at oaklore.com powered by Speakeasy, along with a limited quantity for sale in the Charlotte-based tasting room.

An exquisite sipping spirit, on the nose the whiskey presents an aroma of dark cherry and light rye spice that segues into deep brown sugar notes. The rich, amber color acquired by the extra aging in the port wine barrels is reflected in the first taste, which opens with thick and sweet fermented fruit leaving a residue of light spice on the back of the palate. The finish lingers with dark raisin, a touch of herbs, and white pepper.

Oaklore’s Port Cask Finish Rye features a mash bill of 70 percent rye, 20 percent corn, and 10 percent malted barley – the same as the brand’s signature 6-year-old straight rye whiskey. Crafted by the brand’s sister distillery in North Carolina, the straight rye receives its original aging of six years in a combination of char #2 and char #3 new, white oak barrels – taking advantage of North Carolina’s exemplary aging conditions. Relative to other American Whiskey producing regions, North Carolina’s Piedmont is an ideal climate, particularly when it comes to barrel aging. The humid subtropical environment experiences broad temperature swings more frequently than in Kentucky and other regions, resulting in a more consistent, year-by-year aging process – one that naturally allows for a more uniform whiskey profile, with truly developed character and a richer taste.

Once the straight rye whiskey reaches peak maturation, it’s transferred into port wine barrels, where it continues to age for 12 to 18 months. 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 its award-winning whiskeys. Oaklore Co-Founders Thomas Bogan and Matt Simpkins kept a watchful eye over these barrels until they yielded a rye whiskey that had richness, depth, and a character that could proudly bear the “Story Series” hallmark.

“Our Story Series whiskeys are meticulously crafted in small batches and designed to showcase a range of styles – whether that’s a cask strength release or a spirit finished to perfection like our latest Port Cask Finish Rye. However, the one thing they all have in common is a rigorous taste-testing process among the Oaklore team to ensure that every whiskey in the Story Series reflects the quality, flavor, craftsmanship, and patience needed to make an exceptional aged spirit,” said Bogan.

Founded in 2017, Oaklore Distilling Co. was born out of friendship and a shared passion for well-crafted whiskey. A fortuitous meeting between neighbors, and now co-founders, Thomas Bogan and Matt Simpkins while walking their kids to the bus stop set them on a course to change the distilling landscape in North Carolina. Turning their hobby into a career involved time, money, and dedication, as well as enlisting the help of friend and fellow whiskey lover Travis Masters.

Together, Bogan, Simpkins, and Masters have created an American Whiskey brand centered around storytelling, community and craftsmanship that today proudly bears the hallmark of the Tar Heel State. The name Oaklore refers to the oak staves of each handcrafted barrel that are essential to the whiskey aging process – with each tree, each stave, and thus, each barrel, carrying its own unique history.

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 oakloredistilling.com.