Oaklore Distilling Co has announced the release of its limited-edition Oaklore Story Series: Port Cask Finish Rye Whiskey. This release is a 7-year-old, non-chill filtered small batch American whiskey that has been additionally aged in domestic port wine barrels.

Oaklore’s Port Cask Finish Rye features a mash bill of 70 per cent rye, 20 per cent corn, and 10 per cent 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.

Relative to other American Whiskey producing regions, North Carolina’s Piedmont is an ideal climate 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 and a more developed character.

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 whiskeys. Oaklore co-founders Thomas Bogan and Matt Simpkins monitored these barrels until they yielded a rye whiskey that had richness, depth, and a character that best represented the “Story Series” hallmark.

Bogan commented: “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. 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.”

Tasting notes provided by Oaklore Distilling Co say this release has notes of dark cherry and brown sugar on the nose, followed by light spice and sweet fermented fruit on the palate. The taste then concludes with hints of dark raisin and white pepper.

Oaklore Distilling Co’s Port Cask Finish Rye Whiskey (SPR $99.95) has been limited to 90 bottles and is available to ship nationwide at Oaklore Distilling Co’s online store as well as a limited quantity for sale in the Charlotte-based tasting room.