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
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