Oaklore Story Series - Single Barrel Bourbon Finished in a Honey Cask - Review

The Details

Oaklore Distilling Company

Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey

Finished in a Honey Cask

Chapter 2022

No Age Statement

Distilled in Kentucky

Produced and Bottled by Oaklore Distilling Co.

Matthews, North Carolina

100 Proof

Mashbill: 75% Corn / 21% Rye / 4% Malted Barley

Price: ~$110

Poured Neat in a Glencairn

Appearance: Amber

Nose: Sweet Cream, Vanilla Bean, Almonds, Honey, Sweet Corn

Palate: Fig, Green Apples, Almonds, Corn Flakes Cereal, Honey Drizzle

Finish: Warm, medium spiced linger with a medium-long coating

Overall: Let me start by saying this brand new North Carolina distillery is only minutes from my house and it took me far too long to get over and check it out. Next, the folks at Oaklore are welcoming and ready to share their story with you as you taste through their spirits lineup which includes Vodka, Gin, Bourbon and Rye. The story of two whiskey enthusiasts chatting each morning while they awaited their kid's school bus turned into opening a distillery. You can find more than the Cliff's Notes on their website here. From what I understand, this "Story Series" is a limited annual release where there will be different experimental cask finishes.

Let me get into my overall impression before I get even more sidetracked. With Honey Finishing becoming all the "buzz" and delivering some amazing offerings, I was more than happy to try this expression prior to purchase. The initial thought as I raised my glass to my nose was sweetness. Swirling the bourbon for a second or two and raising it back up provided what I can really only describe as Honey Bunches of Oats Cereal. The honey, corn flakes, almonds and sweet cream took me directly to sitting at the kitchen table for breakfast. That's not a bad thing, right? As is the case with many pours, I was hoping the palate followed the nose with a little more substance (although I love the sweet factor). Well, job well done. Hints of ripe figs, green apples, almonds and drizzled honey rounded out my palate. You know the garnishes on a charcuterie board? Yeah, this is exactly that (minus the meats and cheeses, of course). The finish coats your throat much like a cough drop without any medicinal undertones and continues to be warm throughout with quite a nice baking spiced linger.

I'm looking forward to upcoming releases from these guys and the fact they are only 5 miles from my house is as much of a bonus as I can think of.

Library Rating: 8.1 / 10

Keeper’s Heart Irish + Bourbon - Review

The Details

Keeper's Heart

Irish and Bourbon Whiskey

NAS - No Age Statement

Produced by O'Shaughnessy Distilling Company

Minneapolis, Minnesota

92 Proof

Mashbill: N/A - Blended

Price: $40

Poured Neat in a Glencairn

Appearance: Light Gold

Nose: Green Apples, Ripe Pears, Vanilla and Honeysuckle

Palate: Sweet Bread, Apples, Pears, Slight Citrus Zest

Finish: Warm, Light Finish with a Medium Coating

Overall: This was a treat to try. And when I say treat, I mean it seriously reminded me of the holidays with my family having coffee around the table and snacking on a fruit panettone. Panettone is an Italian type of sweet bread originally from Milan, usually prepared and enjoyed for Christmas and New Year in Western, Southern, and Southeastern Europe as well as in South America, Eritrea, Australia, the United States and Canada. Wikipedia

It's always a great feeling when a certain combination of flavors come together to bring back memories of being together and enjoying company. This tends to happen with quite a few whiskeys I review and I just can't help but get add a little nostalgia to these writeups.

A very easy proof with this marriage of Irish and Bourbon Whiskeys create a wonderful approach and extremely inviting drinkability. Pair that with a great retail price and you just may have yourself a perfect holiday sipper.

I'd like to thank the folks at Keeper's Heart for sending this to the Library. Now, I just need to find that 10 Year!

Library Rating: 7.9 / 10

Knob Creek 18 Year - Review

The Details

Knob Creek

Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Limited Edition Small Batch

Release KC001

Aged 18 Years

Distilled and Bottled by Knob Creek Distilling Company

Clermont, Kentucky

100 Proof

Mashbill: 75% Corn / 13% Rye / 12% Malted Barley

Price: ~$240

Poured Neat in a Copita nosing glass - Click Here to order

Appearance: Dark Amber

Nose: Creamy Caramel, Vanilla Wafers, Cinnamon, Brown Sugar and Wet Oak

Palate: Flakey Buttered Pastry, Vanilla Buttercream Icing, Brown Sugar, Cinnamon Roll and Salted Walnuts

Finish: Medium Linger, Sweet Coating and Cinnamon Spice

Overall: First thing's first...do not let the price point scare you away! This 18 Year offering honoring the 30th anniversary of Knob Creek is one you're going to want in your home-bar. I'm going to get very honest here, I'm not the biggest fan of the traditional Knob Creek profiles of saturated oak and huge peanut influence. To me, the particular profile tastes dry and doesn't leave me salivating for more. But hey, that's me. I know there is quite a cult following when it comes to Knob Creek and I completely respect that. This 18 Year, however, brushes aside everything I just wrote and stands on its own. I feel the "off-profile" taste is exactly what I needed to get me pulled back into this brand. Perhaps the extra time in oak? Certain rickhouse location? Any agitation? Whatever the cause, I'm hopeful this profile prevails going forward because it just solidified a spot in The Library Top-10 of 2022.

Library Rating: 9.2 / 10