Latest news with #craftdistillers
Forbes
2 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
Whiskey Of The Week: Oaklore North Carolina Rye — Port Cask Finish
Whiskey is distilled nowadays in all 50 states — legally, that is — which is kind of crazy when you consider that less than 25 years ago, even my home state of New York was fighting for the right to be able to do so. The last 10-15 years have been a golden age for regional craft distilling, and if you're looking for peated Maine single malt, oat whiskey from Chicago, or rye from Alaska, it's all out there. I've tried whiskey made everywhere from Mississippi (strong and a little harsh) to Hawaii (they're better at rum), but for whatever reason I'd never tried one from North Carolina. The state actually has a long, rich history of whiskey distilling — it rivaled Kentucky for bourbon capital of the U.S. before booze abolitionists went and killed the industry in 1909, 11 years before Prohibition became the law of the land. As was the case with so many other states, boozemaking was restricted to backwater moonshine stills until the 21st century. Founded in 2017, Oaklore Distilling Co. is middle-aged by North Carolina distillery standards. Photo courtesy Oaklore Distilling Co. North Carolina isn't the distilling powerhouse it once was, but it's making up for lost time. In the last 20 years, several dozen distilleries have popped up throughout the state, making vodka, rum, liqueurs, gins, and of course whiskeys. Oaklore Distilling Co. was founded in 2017 by a trio of friends — two of whom met at the bus stop as elementary school dads, and their distillery/tasting room opened for business in Matthews, just outside of Charlotte, in 2022. It was named Charlotte's best distillery by the Charlotte Observer in both 2023 and 2024, and its Four Grain Bourbon recently won a double gold medal at the 2024 John Barleycorn Awards (full disclosure: I'm a judge for the Barleycorn Awards, but as far as I know I didn't judge any Oaklore products). The Oaklorers' current whiskeys were contract distilled to their own specifications at 'sister distilleries' Southern Distilling Co. in North Carolina and Jackson Purchase in Kentucky. They've just bought 45,000 square feet of warehouse space; for now, their barrels age in the Piedmont region of North Carolina. According to Oaklore, the region is optimal for aging spirits because, and I quote, 'The moderate climate with large swings in daily temperature year-round forces the barrels to breathe deeper and more often, allowing the whiskey to penetrate the grooves at a higher rate.' OK, I'll buy that. The latest in their ongoing Story Series, an annual limited edition where they mess around with various processes of the whiskey-making process, Port Cask-Finished Rye is made from locally sourced grain, aged for 6 years in new #2 and #3-charred American oak, and then finished in San Sebastian port casks from... Florida? Apparently St. Augustine has a winery and they've been making port there for a while, a fact of which I was, perhaps shamefully, unaware. Only 90 bottles have been produced, available for $100 at the distillery or from their online store. The mashbill is 70% rye, 20% corn, and 10% malted barley — the middle ground between 95% ryes from Indiana and barely-legal 51% ryes from Kentucky — and it's bottled at a not-too-harsh/not-too-weak 46% ABV. Based on the intense dark ruby color of the whiskey, I believe their shpiel about Piedmont's ideal aging conditions. On the palate it's a banger, with jammy dark fruit notes kept in check by the rye spice, culminating in a medium, lightly syrupy finish. It's a decadent, luscious whiskey that kept me going back for just one more sip... and another... and what the heck, let's have another glass while we're at it. But while it's easy to drink, that doesn't mean it's simple. There's a lot of flavor to contemplate. As mentioned, only 90 bottles were made, which makes it a bit of a collectors' item. And unlike many of the collectors' items I write up, this one's a mere hundred smackers. For a whiskey of this quality, that's a fair shake no matter how many bottles are floating around.
Forbes
3 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
The World's Best Gins-According To The 2025 International Wine And Spirit Compeition
The Gold Outstanding medal winners in gin at the 2025 International Wine and Spirits Competition. Gin, a spirit that can trace its origins back to the Middle Ages, has seen a surge of interest in the new millennium. That's due to its fantastic versatility across a wide array of cocktail styles that have come to define today's cocktail culture. The botanical flavors inherent to gin make it a veritable 'Swiss army knife' of a spirit. From a classic martini to an elegant negroni, cocktails that feature gin have never been more popular. While gin may be intrinsically linked to the United Kingdom these days, there are an untold number of craft distillers across the globe making some fantastic gins loaded with flavor. Their brilliance is on display at the 2025 International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC). As one of the oldest and most prestigious annual spirits judging events in the world, the IWSC sees the best bottles in the world sent each year to its esteemed judging panel. The IWSC has just announced the recipients of its coveted Gold Outstanding medals, its highest accolade, in the gin category. To receive one, a bottle must score a minimum of 98 out of 100 points in their blind taste-testing format. To put the scope of the difficulty of landing such an award, the event bestowed medals (silver, gold, gold outstanding) on 264 gins this year; only eight took home the top prize. One of those will take home the Gin Trophy at their gala event in the fall, earning the title of the World's Best. Here is a brief snapshot of each medal winner and the judges' tasting notes. From Saskatchewan, Canada, Black Fox Farms and Distillery has crafted its unique Haskap Gin (40 % ABV) using an ingredient close to home. That would be its farm-grown, hand-picked haskap berries, a hearty Canadian fruit infused in the distilling process alongside gentian root, black tea leaves, and a touch of Black Fox honey. It's an innovative spirit that showcases the untapped potential of regional ingredients. Here is what the judges had to say about it: Deep ruby in hue, the enticing aroma evokes rich, woody notes with a hint of sweetness reminiscent of port. On the palate, it is a powerful and complex blend of deep red fruit and gin botanicals, offering a delightful freshness. France's Loire Valley might be famous for wine, but Distillerie Combier's Meridor Gin proves its spirits pedigree. This 41.9% ABV London Dry is the result of two years of research and development. It offers a sophisticated blend of rose petals, elderflowers, licorice, lemon and other botanicals. It presents a full floral aroma that leads to a peppery kick, resulting in a fresh yet complex profile. Named for a local legend, Meridor Gin is an elegant expression of French distilling and proof that the country is more than a one-trick pony when it comes to alcohol. Here is what the judges had to say about it: Light and fragrant, the aroma reveals vibrant juniper and citrus notes. Rich, bold palate, offering pronounced juniper alongside a delicate spiciness and a hint of bittersweet bergamot. Long, warm finish echoing the citrus character beautifully. A truly exquisite gin. If you appreciate a gin with backbone, the Australian Distilling Co.'s Navy Gin should be on your radar. At a robust 57% ABV, this is a serious spirit. It's a bold take on navy strength, featuring pronounced woody spices like cardamom and nutmeg, alongside classic juniper and fresh pine notes. Layers of herbaceous, spicy, and sweet notes lead to a long, structured finish. This is a gin designed to perform, making it a powerful choice for a classic Negroni or a truly assertive Martini. Here is what the judges had to say about it: Intense spice and inviting citrus notes. The palate is bold and layered, showcasing a delightful interplay of citrus and peppery warmth. A long, complex finish lingers, brimming with herbal nuances that beckon for another sip. From Osaka, Japan, Mikuni Distillery's Osaka Gin is certainly worth noting. A small-batch gin, it can be hard to find outside of Japan. It isn't a typical juniper bomb; instead, it leans into floral flavors with a smooth finish. As Osaka's sole craft gin distillery, it brings a distinctive local essence to the global gin landscape. This is a gin that captures its origin in every sip. Here is what the judges had to say about it: A delightful burst of lemon verbena and lemon-lime on the nose. The palate reveals a harmonious blend of spices and citrus, with cardamom and earthy roots shining through. Lingering finish, leaving a refreshing impression of vibrant citrus and juniper. Outstanding. Singapore's Brass Lion Distillery truly shines with its Pearl Jasmine Gin. This 40% ABV gin is an elegant homage to the classic jasmine tea. Crafted using hand-rolled Dragon Phoenix Jasmine Tea pearls that were gently infused into the gin to capture their delicate essence, it closely resembles a cup of tea. That makes sense since it's part of the brand's Tea Series. Here is what the judges had to say about it: Beautifully golden in color, this gin has a nose featuring light jasmine tea and honey sweetness. The palate mirrors this and adds tannins to the benefit of the jasmine. The perfumed finish lingers delightfully. Out of NSW, Australia, Nine Circles Distillery offers a very well-executed Signature Gin. This isn't about overpowering; it's about harmony. With 14 carefully selected botanicals, it achieves a balanced profile that showcases citrus, spice, and aniseed. It's the kind of versatile gin that works perfectly in a simple G&T with an orange slice but also holds its own in more complex cocktails. Nine Circles truly commits to artisanal production, making this a fine example of modern Australian gin. Here is what the judges had to say about it: An intense and inviting scented with menthol, citrus blossom, and herbal tea greets the senses, leading to a structured and rounded palate. Bright citrus notes intertwine with delicate floral peppercorns, culminating in a long, gentle finish that lingers beautifully. If it isn't apparent yet, the distillers in Australia are turning out some excellent gins these days; four of the eight GO medal winners are from there. 30 Knots Spirits Sea Spray Gin from Western Australia is an intriguing gin, at 40% ABV, designed for refreshment. It expertly blends bold juniper with traditional botanicals and the unique, native Ruby Saltbush, creating a subtly salty and warming character. With clear notes of saltwater, juniper, and desert lime, it's a gin that truly evokes its origins. It's a compelling option for anyone seeking something distinctive and invigorating in their glass. Here is what the judges had to say about it: Green botanicals, complemented by a subtle freshness and a hint of vegetation. Pepper and spice layers emerge beautifully; the botanicals dance in harmony, revealing a creamy, zesty character with earthy and nutty undertones, culminating in a captivating complexity. Hailing from Tasmania, Australia, Turner Stillhouse is making a clear mark with their Three Cuts Distiller's Release Gin. Built using local ingredients and pure Tasmanian water, this 42.0% ABV small-batch release focuses on refinement. Its botanical blend includes green cardamom, Tasmanian lime and lemon, white peppercorn and three cuts of rose petals that add unique floral layers. The result is a balanced gin that delivers organic juniper with bright citrus and exotic warmth. Here is what the judges had to say about it: A soft and floral bouquet with notes of juniper and citrus lead into a vibrant palate where sweet herbal notes intertwine seamlessly. This delightful harmony culminates in a long, laced finish with earthy undertones. Lovely botanical integration with excellent complexity. Follow here for the most up to date information about the ever changing beer, wine, and spirits industry.
