Notes and Reviews for Whiskey Ring Podcast Episode 184: Oaklore Distilling Co. with Tom Bogan and Matt Simpkins

From Neighbors to Distillers: The Story Behind Oaklore Distilling Co.

In this episode of the Whiskey Ring Podcast, I had the pleasure of chatting with Matt Simpkins and Tom Bogan, the co-founders of Oaklore Distilling in North Carolina. Their journey began as neighbors bonding over their shared passion for whiskey while walking their kids to the bus stop. What started as casual "Tuesday drinking" sessions evolved into a deep dive into the world of whiskey, leading them to create their own distillery with a mission to produce a whiskey they would want to drink themselves.

We explored the challenges of operating in North Carolina, a control state with specific regulations (though with a very friendly town!), and how they navigated these hurdles while experimenting with different finishes and mash bills. Their commitment to using locally sourced grains is evident in their North Carolina Straight Rye Whiskey, which I greatly enjoyed as a mid-spice rye (70/20/10) that isn't to bourbon-y or to herby. The conversation also highlighted their collaborative spirit within the whiskey community, drawing inspiration from established distillers like the Nelson brothers and John Hargrove, who provided invaluable guidance during their startup phase.

Towards the end of the episode, we delved into their finishing series, including offerings like port wine and honey finishes, which reflect their personal stories and relationships with wineries including San Sebastian, the port producer we recently mentioned in last week's St. Augustine Distillery epsiode. This episode is a fascinating look into Oaklore Distilling's creative process, the challenges of starting a distillery, and their dedication to producing high-quality whiskey that embodies their passion and the rich heritage of North Carolina.

Thank you to Tom and Matt for entering the Whiskey Ring!

Thanks to our Presenting Sponsor, BAXUS

Baxus is the world's leading collectible spirits marketplace, with user-friendly options for buyers, sellers, and collectors looking to vault their collections. Use my link below to visit the BAXUS.CO website and sign up!

_________________________________________________________

If you haven’t joined the Patreon community yet, please consider doing so at patreon.com/whiskeyinmyweddingring

The Bottle Share Club - the $25/month Patreon level - is SOLD OUT! You can still support the podcast for as little as $1/month, and $5/month patrons will have first dibs if a $25/month member retires.

If you haven’t yet, please follow Whiskey in my Wedding Ring and the Whiskey Ring Podcast on Instagram and Facebook, and subscribe to the newsletter on the website.

Oaklore Distilling Co.

Whiskeyinmyweddingring.com is proudly sponsored by BAXUS, the global marketplace for the world’s most collectible spirits

Oaklore Four Grain Bourbon Whiskey: Specs

Classification: Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Producer: Oaklore Distilling Company

Mashbill: 72% Corn, 11% Wheat. 10% Rye, 7% Malted Barley

Proof: 92 (46% ABV)

Age: 4-6 Years Old

Location: North Carolina and Kentucky, USA

Oaklore Four Grain Bourbon Price: $69.99

Official Website

Oaklore Four Grain Bourbon Whiskey: Tasting Notes

Eye: Golden amber. Medium rims, sloughing legs, large globe drops.

Nose: Old fashioned candies in the white bags. Black cherry overtones, cola syrup. Hints of mint and hard spices from the rye. Apple, fresh and cooked, not much oak. Pears, too, Arnold Palmer, black iced tea.

Palate: Peaches, pears, apples, and cinnamon hit alongside the caramel shell of an apple at a fair. Green apple Jolly Ranchers. Mild astringency, drinks heavier than 92 proof. Sweet, spicy, tart - the sweet from the wheat for sure. Mouthfeel is deceptively light, coating and silky. Rye spice builds on the front half of my tongue, building both proof and body on a caramel backbone.

Finish: Astringency returns mid-palate, dried tree fruits and rye shining above it’s weight. Short side of medium, drinks closer to 100 proof throughout.

Overall: A solid bourbon. The rye punches above its weight, especially for fans of wheated bourbons. The wheat sweetness is there in tree fruits and caramel shells. I think there’s more depth to be found, and I’d love to taste at barrel proof. As it stands, a great sipper that can stand a cube if you need it.

Final Rating: 6.8

Oaklore Distilling Co. Straight Rye Whiskey: Specs

Classification: Straight Rye Whiskey

Producer: Oaklore Distilling Company

Mashbill: 70% North Carolina Rye, 20% Corn, 10% Barley

Proof: 92 (46% ABV)

Age: 6+ Years Old

Location: North Carolina, USA

Oaklore Distilling Co. North Carolina Straight Rye Whiskey Price: $79.99

Official Website

Oaklore Distilling Co. Straight Rye Whiskey: Tasting Notes

Eye: Black tea. Medium rims, lots of globules handing on and breaking off.

Nose: Wood warming up to toast, a hint of maple. Sweet fruit mix comes next with sugared pineapple, wild strawberries, and dried papaya. No spice, very soft. Warming baking spices open slowly, less toasting in a pan and more a gentle heating for fragrance.

Palate: There’s the rye spice! The front third of my tongue including the tip. Lots of sweet cinnamon, warm and decadent, mildly astringent, a touch of ground clove on the edge. Black licorice, more sweet than herbal, with a twang mid-palate when it settles. Mouthfeel is oily and coating, a bit of black pepper spice and orange peel being expressed. Cinnamon sticks stirring an old fashioned.

Finish: More spice-forward and less sweet than the nose or palate. Spicy and oily with a barrel aged old fashioned feeling to it, moderate astringency. Coating the whole palate for a medium-length finish.

Overall: This evolves quite nicely from fruity to spicy to sweet, keeping me on my toes. Full-bodied for a 92 proofer, would stand up to ice or in a cocktail without being lost. Lots of bold flavors. Not sure this needs more proof at all, might be great as it is.

Final Rating: 7.5

10 | Insurpassable | Nothing Else Comes Close

9 | Incredible | Extraordinary

8 | Excellent | Exceptional

7 | Great | Well above average

6 | Very Good | Better than average

5 | Good | Good, solid, ordinary

4 | Has promise but needs work

1-3 | Let’s have a conversation