Distillery: Undisclosed—Distilled in North Carolina and Kentucky
Proof: 92.0 (46.0% ABV)
Age: Five Years
Mashbill: 70% Rye, 20% Corn, 10% Malted Barley
MSRP: $100
Craft Rye. Well-Finished. The Price May Pause You.
Oaklore Distilling is part of a growing number of North Carolina producers. The family-owned facility sits just outside the bustling city of Charlotte—a place where humid summers and cool evenings push their spirits in and out of the oak as it adds its own twist of Tarheel state heritage.
Made in small batches and bottled at 92 proof, the distillery’s approach to focuses on balance rather than sweetness, heat or power, creating a fruit-forward rye.
This limited release shows what’s possible when a distiller successfully blends regional distillate and aging with thoughtful finishing, and careful proofing leading to a rye that settles into serious enthusiast price territory.
Oaklore Distilling Co. Port Cask Finished Straight Rye Whiskey Review: Tasting Notes
Nose – 4.2/5
Blackberry preserves. Orange peel. Peppercorn. Fresh mint.
Strengths: Dark-fruit notes balanced by some bright citrus with some herbal influence thrown in.
Rating justification: The port influence slightly mutes the underlying grain after its had time in the glass. A mild ethanol distraction persists
Palate – 4.1/5
Raspberry. Rye bread. Dark chocolate. Walnut.
Strengths: Fruit and spice notes play well together. The proof delivers a dense flavor profile without any burn.
Rating justification: Enjoyable pour, but a little shy of elite complexity. Port sweetness outshines and doesn’t enhance the rye’s undertones.
Finish – 3.9/5
Lingering port-wine sweetness. Subtle blend of mint and pine. Gentle drying oak tannin.
Strengths: Lengthy. Clean exit—no bitterness. Echoes of chocolate and fruit found on the Palate.
Rating justification: Pleasant length. Lacks the depth of top-tier finishes. Oak tannin leaves a faint chalky edge.
Value – 3.5/5
At $100, this port-finish rye lands in a premium tier which invites closer scrutiny—especially at 92 proof.
Strengths: Distinctive flavor profile with careful secondary finishing and true grain-to-glass production.
Rating justification: Quality and character are evident. The cost pushes it into the territory of “consideration” rather than a spontaneous pickup. Price exceeds most similarly proofed craft ryes. Enthusiasts may hesitate without a higher age or proof point.
Oaklore Distilling Co. Port Cask Finished Straight Rye Whiskey Review: The Verdict
Oaklore’s port-finished rye delivers a balanced fruit-spice profile that would stand out in any craft tasting. Proof level keeps the sip on the smooth side and yet the early dryness on the Finish and a premium MSRP likely will keep it from higher acclaim. Just shy of the Gold tier, this bottle rewards curious enthusiasts but the price point keeps it a step short of greatness.
Verdict – 3.9/5
We score each bourbon based on nose, palate, finish, and value.
Scoring System:
- Platinum – 4.5 – 5
- Gold – 4 – 4.5
- Silver – 3 – 4
- Bronze – <3
Mike Long is a staff writer at Bourbon Inspector and has an Executive Bourbon Steward designation from the Stave and Thief Society. He’s a former “wine guy” who discovered his love for bourbon years back at a spur-of-the-moment bourbon tasting he attended. He also loves traveling throughout America with his wife of over 37 years, Debby.