Oaklore Story Series Oloroso Sherry Cask Finished Four Grain Bourbon Review

Oaklore Distilling Co.
Story Series
Oloroso Sherry Cask Finished Four Grain Bourbon
ABV: 47.5% (95 Proof)
SRP: $99.95
Review

Please enjoy our Oaklore Story Series Oloroso Sherry Cask Finished Four Grain Bourbon Review!

Background – Oaklore Oloroso Sherry Cask Finished Bourbon Review

Oaklore Distilling Co., based in Charlotte, North Carolina, has added a new release to its limited Story Series lineup with this Oloroso Sherry Cask Finished Four Grain Bourbon. The whiskey undergoes a multi-stage maturation process that begins with five to six years of aging at the distillery’s sister facilities in Kentucky and North Carolina.

Once the best barrels of wheated bourbon and rye bourbon are selected and batched, the whiskey is re-barreled and aged for an additional eight to twelve months in palletized, non-temperature-controlled warehouses in the North Carolina Piedmont, a humid subtropical climate that experiences frequent daily temperature swings, contributing to a consistent year-by-year barrel-aging environment. Finally, the bourbon finishes for twelve to eighteen months in Spanish Oloroso Sherry casks. Only 750 bottles were produced for this limited release.

Details – Oaklore Story Series Oloroso Sherry Cask Finished Four Grain Bourbon Review

• Distillation: Distilled at sister distilleries in North Carolina and Kentucky
• Stills: 24-inch Vendome all-copper column stills
• Final Composite Mash Bill: 70% corn, 10% rye, 10% wheat, 10% malted barley
• Initial Aging: Five to six years in Kentucky and North Carolina (wheated bourbon and rye bourbon aged separately)
• Second Maturation: Eight to twelve months in palletized, non-temperature-controlled warehouses in the North Carolina Piedmont in a blend of #2, #3, and #4 char barrels
• Finishing: Twelve to eighteen months in Spanish Oloroso Sherry casks
• Age: Six Years
• ABV / Proof: 47.5% ABV / 95 Proof
• Release: Limited to 750 bottles
• SRP: $99.95
• Availability: Oaklore’s online shop, the tasting room, and select North Carolina retailers

Tasting Notes – Oaklore Oloroso Sherry Cask Finished Bourbon Review

🛏 Rested: 15 minutes in a Glencairn

🎨 Color: Dark amber
👉🏻 Nose: Mildly sweet with raisins, dark plums, mild sherry notes, caramel, and red wine cask aromas; the alcohol vapor is relatively mild and appropriate for its 95 proof.
👉🏻 Taste: Dark plums, raisins, mild dried apricots, light caramel and honey; mild sherry notes, mild tannins, and a mildly viscous mouthfeel.
👉🏻 Finish: Lingering dark plums, raisins, and mild sherry notes; apricot leather candy, mild char and increasing mild capsaicin spice later on; mildly dry; fairly long with lasting mild heat and char.

Summary

My sample of Oaklore Sherry Cask Finished Bourbon took a few days for its flavors to fully open up. Also, as sherry cask finished bourbons go, the actual sherry notes are fairly subtle, but the related fruit notes—such as raisins and dark plums—are noticeable. The dried apricots and apricot leather candy I noted are less typical of sherry cask finishes and may originate from the underlying bourbon itself. Nonetheless, the mildly dry and spicy finish works well with the sweeter notes present on the nose and palate, creating a balanced and enjoyable sip.

Conclusion – Oaklore Oloroso Sherry Cask Finished Four Grain Bourbon Review

I’m not sure why the full range of flavors didn’t show up on my first couple of tastes. It may have been me, or the whiskey may have needed some time with air, but once it opened up, I found it very enjoyable. I prefer finished bourbons where the finishing barrels add complementary—not overwhelming—flavors, and the Oaklore Story Series Oloroso Sherry Cask Finished Four Grain Bourbon does exactly that. If you enjoy sherry influence on bourbon and the darker fruit notes those barrels can contribute, complemented by a little spice in the finish, this is definitely one you’ll want to try!

Have you tried Oaklore Story Series Oloroso Sherry Cask Finished Four Grain Bourbon? What did you think? Cheers!🥃

We hope you have enjoyed our Oaklore Story Series Oloroso Sherry Cask Finished Four Grain Bourbon Review! Next, why not read about these other Oaklore whiskeys: Oaklore Story Series: Port Cask Finish Rye Whiskey Review and Oaklore Four Grain Bourbon Review.

Note: This sample was graciously provided by the Brand for my review. I appreciate it!

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