Oaklore Four Grain Bourbon Batch 4 - Review

The Details

Oaklore Distilling Company

Four Grain Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Batch No. 004

Aged 4+ Years

Distilled in Kentucky

Produced and Bottled by Oaklore Distilling Co.

Matthews, North Carolina

94 Proof

Mashbill: 74% Corn / 5% Rye / 11% Wheat / 10% Malted Barley

Price: ~$90

Poured Neat in a Glencairn

Appearance: Chestnut

Nose: Butterscotch, Caramel Corn, Cream, Vanilla, Honeysuckle, Pear

Palate: Buttered Cornbread with Honey Drizzle, Frosted Flakes, Shortbread, Rye Spice

Finish: Sweet to Savory and Spice. Light to Medium coating and Medium Finish.

Overall: For such a young distillery, the offerings Oaklore has been releasing have been very impressive. This Batch 4, Four Grain is no exception. An amazing balance of sweet, savory and spice paired with a nice oak influence makes for a well-rounded pour. I am immediately drawn in by buttered cornbread with a slight honey drizzle. Now, I may be hungry, but that sensation switches to shortbread followed by the perfect rye "bite". Nothing sharp...the bite many rye sippers enjoy. Yes, even at only 5%.

I often say it's the people behind the scenes that make a Distillery what it is. The folks at Oaklore are truly salt-of-the-earth. I am proud to call them friends. Friendship aside, my reviews are still honest and genuine. If you happen to be in the Charlotte area, I highly suggest checking them out and grabbing a tasting and even a cocktail. You may see me there!

Check out Oaklore HERE

Library Rating: 8.0 / 10

World Whiskey Society 10 Year Wheated Edition Finished in Port Casks - Review

The Details

World Whiskey Society

Classic Collection

Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Finished in Port Casks

Single Barrel

Aged 10 Years

Distilled in Oklahoma

Bottled by World Whiskey Society - Pendergrass, GA

102 Proof

Mash Bill: 51% Corn, 45% Wheat, 4% Barley

Bottle 460 of 620

Price: $134

Poured Neat in a Copita nosing glass. Click HERE to order.

Appearance: Mahogany

Nose: Wheat, Dark Fruits - Plum, Cherry and Red Grapes

Palate: Dark Sweet Fruit forward, Ruby Port, Red Grapes, Touch of Honey, Touch of Oak

Finish: Viscous, Tannic, Medium Sweet to Dry Linger

Overall: We can't start anything without talking about the Unicorn in the room. This topper! The copper unicorn draws you in to pick up this bottle to study the stats. Age - Check. Wheated - Check. Distilled in Oklahoma - Wait, what? This is a first for me. But I, like most die-hard enthusiasts, want to try it all. I must say, the flavors balance out and create a very unique experience. I love wine, so when bourbon, especially wheated bourbon, blends with wine barrels, the flavors are often majestic. This particular expression isn't "mind-blowing", but offers up some delicious sippin' finished bourbon. The age plays in quite well with my overall impression as the oak shows itself on the backend of the palate and on the finish. Technically a unicorn, being only 620 bottles produced, and that brilliant topper tells you exactly that.

Thank you once again to the generous folks at WWS for gracing the Library with such delicious and unique offerings!

Library Rating: 8.1 / 10

Art of the Spirits American Whiskey "Final Run" Finished in Madeira Casks - Review

The Details

Art of the Spirits

American Whiskey

Madeira Cask Finished for 11 Months

"Final Run" by Artist David Uhl

Single Barrel selected by Goody Goody

Aged 6 Years

Produced and Bottled by Art of the Spirits

Longmont, Colorado

Cask Strength

108 Proof

Mash Bill: 75% Corn, 21% Rye, 4% Malted Barley

Bottle 218

Price: $100

Poured Neat in a Glencairn Glass

Appearance: Auburn

Nose: Dark Fruits, Orange Zest, Oak, Toasted Caramel

Palate: Strawberries, Dark Fruits, Cream, Tobacco, Leather, Orange Zest

Finish: Long and Lasting Linger, Slightly Dry, Warm

Overall: I was drawn in by the artwork by David Uhl and the Wilderness Trail style bottle, but I'm staying for the exceptional flavor. The Madeira Cask Finish brings quite a bit of fruit and character to an otherwise bold expression. The collaboration is enjoyable. A slightly dry tone on the finish is the only setback in my opinion, but that is quickly forgotten with each sip thereafter.

A great big thank you to my friend, Jules Budd, for allowing me to take this bottle home to try and to critique. This is a brand I've yet to try until now. This will not be the last either.

🥃📖🥃

Library Rating: 8.1 / 10