North Carolina-based Oaklore Distilling Co. announced the release of its limited-edition Oaklore Story Series: Port Cask Finish Rye Whiskey. 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 whiskey are available to ship nationally online at https://oakloredistilling.com/ powered by Speakeasy, along with a limited quantity for sale in the Charlotte-based tasting room.

Oaklore’s Port Cask Finish Rye (SPR: $99.95 for 750ml) 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 Bogan and 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,” Bogan said. “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.”

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ABOUT OAKLORE DISTILLING CO.

Built on the idea of community, Oaklore Distilling Co. in Charlotte, N.C., was founded in 2017 by Matt Simpkins, Thomas Bogan and Travis Masters, who 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. To learn more, visit www.oakloredistilling.com.