Opening in 2022 in Matthews, North Carolina—a suburb simply southeast of Charlotte—Oaklore Distilling is rooted in a imaginative and prescient that started years earlier. Again in 2017, the founders took their first daring step by laying down barrels of whiskey in partnership with sister distilleries in each North Carolina and Kentucky. Whereas the Kentucky supply stays undisclosed, the North Carolina whiskey was distilled by Southern Distilling in Statesville, simply 56 miles north.
The results of this considerate planning is Oaklore 4 Grain Straight Bourbon, a fastidiously balanced mix of straight bourbons from each states. Batch 5 options bourbon aged between 4 and 6 years, constructed on a particular mashbill of 72% corn, 11% wheat, 10% rye, and seven% malted barley. The bourbon is distilled on Vendome steady column stills—hallmarks of high quality shared by each sister distilleries—and entered into barrels at 100 and 110 proof for optimum taste improvement. Oaklore’s strategy to maturation is simply as deliberate, using barrels from Impartial Stave Firm, Black Swan, and Kelvin Cooperage. These barrels characteristic a mixture of #3 and #4 char ranges, contributing wealthy depth and complexity to every bottle.
Oaklore provides one thing actually distinctive by way of its unusual four-grain mashbill—pushing past the standard three to create a bourbon with added depth, complexity, and character. The group at Oaklore says that each oak stave used of their barrels holds a narrative, formed by its personal distinctive historical past. They see a parallel in individuals—every with their very own journey, voice, and spirit. So, what story does Oaklore 4 Grain Bourbon inform? That’s for the drinker to find. It’s story time!
Oaklore 4 Grain Bourbon Evaluate
The bouquet opens with aromas of smoked almonds and oxidized inexperienced apple slices, making a savory-tart interaction that units the stage. Quickly, notes of Werther’s Originals drift in, joined by a dusting of black pepper that provides depth. Whereas sweetness is actually current, the nostril stays balanced—anchored by the nutty and barely tannic high quality of the smoked almonds and the sharpness of the apple.
On the palate, the journey begins with the flavour of Danish butter cookies—the type present in these iconic spherical blue tins. Honeyed sweetness follows carefully behind, shortly giving approach to a burst of inexperienced apple Jolly Ranchers. A handful of darkish, mildly candy raisins present distinction, providing construction and restraint. Regardless of the dominance of sweeter parts, the bourbon walks a superb line, by no means tipping into extra. The mouthfeel carries a medium viscosity, offering simply sufficient weight to assist the flavour with out overstaying its welcome.
The end takes an intriguing flip. Burnt brown sugar leads, adopted by a word of worn leather-based and a reprise of black pepper—including a grounded conclusion to an in any other case sweet-forward profile.
Oaklore Distilling should still be flying below the radar for a lot of bourbon followers, however Batch 5 of its 4 Grain Bourbon deserves consideration. It provides a flavor-forward pour for many who admire sweeter whiskeys that don’t sacrifice construction or drinkability. At 92 proof, it’s a compelling sipper—particularly for many who may sometimes overlook lower-proof bourbons. Oaklore has created one thing price revisiting, and this batch makes a powerful case for a second pour.
92 proof. Reviewed: Batch #5.
A- / $70 / oakloredistilling.com
Oaklore 4 Grain Bourbon
USD70
