North Carolina-based Oaklore Distillery was founded in 2016 by friends Tom Bogan and Matt Simpkins thanks to a shared appreciation for whiskey.

Their love of whiskey turned into a hobby, which then bloomed into a full-blown obsession. That led them to open a distillery, and Oaklore was born. Today, in addition to making whiskey, the distillery also produces gin, rum and vodka.

We asked Bogan and Simpkins our standard five questions, and here are their responses.

What was your gateway whiskey – the one that made you love whiskey? 

TOM BOGAN: 15-Year-Old Teeling Irish Whiskey. I can remember the exact moment sitting in a pub in Galway and my whiskey world began to make sense. It was a completely visceral experience and sparked my lifelong love of whiskey.” 

MATT SIMPKINS: Yeah, for me it was a journey from Cognac, through finished whiskey, but ultimately it was Wellers Special Reserve.  I found a $20 bottle – at that time – that was such a deep character, full bodied dram.  Once I found the 12-Year-Old, I realized I was absolutely a wheated guy.

What is your favorite part of the whiskey making process?

R&D and Maturation. They both take a really long time, but that’s where the profile of Oaklore Whiskey really comes together. There are so many variables in whiskey making, but when you can dial them in just right, the magic really happens. However, it all will further develop and change in the barrel. Those oak staves tell the story they want to tell, and over time, regardless of what our plan is, the barrel is the captain of the ship. At Oaklore Distilling Co., maturation is one of our calling cards, as we are really trying to shine a spotlight on the Piedmont Region of North Carolina, which we believe has 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.

What trends do you believe are forthcoming in the spirits industry? 

We’re certainly post COVID and the bourbon boom, so there will be a market correction, even further than what we’ve seen recently. However, bourbon is America’s native spirit and it’s absolutely going to continue to flourish and thrive. We will also see the separation of craft distilleries that make their own distillate and those that just source. Those that craft their own product will have a special arena separate from those that are simply buying mass produced products. At Oaklore Distilling Co., our brand pillars are centered around community and craftsmanship. On the community front, we are very dedicated to giving back to North Carolina – whether that’s Hurricane Helene relief or other charitable organizations that speak to our values. We are also in expansion mode, so that bourbon fans in the region have a destination to enjoy and shop for our products. On the craftsmanship front, we are really leaning into our R&D with our upcoming releases in the Story Series, including a Sherry Finish Bourbon and a Bloody Butcher Corn (which will be a distillery exclusive) while touting the unique climate of the Piedmont Region for whiskey maturation. 

Other than your own brand, do you currently have a favorite bourbon, whiskey or other spirit?

We really like what Brown-Forman is doing with Woodford Reserve, and always get a banana note from the fermentation.  It’s a very consistent product that hardly ever disappoints.  Also, Weller SR stands pretty strong still, even after all these years and the changes that have taken place at Buffalo Trace.  

Neat, rocks or cocktail? 

Neat, it is the only way we can compare whiskeys.  Ice is nice when having a casual drink, but as bourbon nerds, neat is the best way to compare apples to apples.  

Read more: Five Questions with WhistlePig Distiller Mitch Mahar

About Five Questions

Five Questions is a series on Fredminnick.com in which professionals in the whiskey business offer insights into trends, favorite spirits and more.