OAKLORE DISTILLING CO. LAUNCHES LIMITED-EDITION OLOROSO SHERRY CASK FINISHED FOUR GRAIN BOURBON
North Carolina Distillery Celebrates National Bourbon Heritage Month with Latest Small Batch Whiskey from its Popular “Story Series”
Charlotte, North Carolina (September 22, 2025) - North Carolina craft spirits innovator Oaklore Distilling Co. is proud to announce the latest whiskey release in its heralded Story Series. Oaklore Story Series: Oloroso Sherry Cask Finished Four Grain Bourbon (SRP: $99.95 for 750ml) is now available in very limited release, with only 750 bottles for purchase. Bottled at 95 proof, this six-year-old, non-chill filtered small batch bourbon is a fresh take on Oaklore’s original Four Grain Bourbon, creating a new flavor exploration enhanced by the finishing in Spanish Oloroso Sherry Casks.
Earlier this year, Oaklore Distilling Co. unveiled its Oaklore Story Series: Port Cask Finish Rye Whiskey, which is a reimagination of Oaklore’s popular straight rye whiskey. For today’s Story Series release, the whiskey makers start with their traditional four grain bourbon, which is crafted by Oaklore at the brand’s sister distilleries in North Carolina and Kentucky. Distilled on 24-inch Vendome all-copper column stills, the Four Grain Bourbon uses “the big four” American Whiskey grains (corn, wheat, barley & rye). The whiskey combines the best five- to six-year-old barrels of wheated bourbon and rye bourbon mash bills, which are aged separately, hand-selected, and then batched together – producing a final mash bill of 70% corn, 10% rye, 10% wheat, and 10% malted barley.
Master Blender Tom Bogan, along with Co-Founder Matt Simpkins, oversees the batching process and then re-barrels the four grain bourbon for additional aging of approximately eight to twelve months in palletized, non-temperature-controlled warehouses in the North Carolina Piedmont, a plateau of gentle hills between the flat Coastal Plain and the state’s majestic mountains. Oaklore uses #2, #3 and #4 char level barrels and multiple cooperages to achieve consistency and a flavorful bourbon that’s not overwhelmed by wood influences. For the latest expression in its Story Series, Bogan and Simpkins transferred the whiskey into Spanish Oloroso Sherry barrels where it rested for 12 to 18 months – picking up the gorgeous Mediterranean flavors and influence inherent to Oloroso Sherry casks. The resulting whiskey features an aroma of dried fig, raisin and vintage wine coupled with cherry bark, cocoa and apricot on the palate and a delightfully dry sherry finish.
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 spends less time in the extremes, but experiences broad, daily 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.
“National Bourbon Heritage Month feels like as good a time as ever for folks to try a smaller American Whiskey that represents a lesser known, but emerging whiskey-producing state like North Carolina – whether that’s our original Four Grain Bourbon or this special Oloroso Sherry Finished Cask Finished expression,” said Oaklore Co-Founder and Master Blender Tom Bogan.
Given the scarcity of this whiskey, there are only 750 bottles available for purchase across Oaklore's online shop, in the brand's tasting room and at select, premiere retailers across North Carolina. Starting on Monday, September 22, 90 bottles will be available online.
Special Editor’s Note: the masbhill featured in the Oloroso Sherry Cask Finished Four Grain Bourbon is an update to the original mashbill in its core Four Grain expression. The 70/10/10/10 mashbill will be featured in all future releases of Oaklore Four Grain Bourbon starting immediately.
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.
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