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!

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Oaklore Distilling Co.

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Whiskey, Rum, and Community: St. Augustine Distillery

In this episode of the Whiskey Ring Podcast, we take a deep dive into the world of craft distilling in Florida, featuring two key figures from the St. Augustine Distillery: Will Hensler, the COO, and Rick deMontmillon, the VP of Production. As we explore the unique landscape of distilling in the Sunshine State, we uncover the rich history and innovative practices that have shaped St. Augustine Distillery into a standout player in the craft spirits scene.

We kick off the conversation by discussing the origins of the distillery, which was established as the third beverage alcohol distillery in Florida and the first to produce whiskey. Will and Rick share insights into the early days of the distillery, including the challenges of navigating Florida's licensing requirements and the ambitious collaboration of 22 families that brought the distillery to life. They highlight the lack of distilling history in Florida and how the founders aimed to create a new legacy in the Lincolnville neighborhood of St. Augustine.

The episode delves into the evolution of craft distilling laws in Florida, including the ability for craft distilleries to serve cocktails and the ongoing restrictions on out-of-state investment. Will and Rick explain how these regulations have shaped their growth strategy and the importance of maintaining their craft status.

As we wrap up the episode, we explore the distillery's commitment to sustainability and community involvement, as well as their dedication to employee education and retention. Will and Rick share their vision for the future of St. Augustine Distillery, emphasizing the importance of quality, community, and the unique Florida identity that they strive to embody in every bottle.

Thank you to Ric and Will 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!

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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.

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St. Augustine Distillery

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Are You In The Muff Market? Are You A Muff Liquor Man?

Ok folks, we're going to have fun on this one.

When I started the research for this episode, I wasn't sure whether the "Muff Liquor Company" name was a tongue-in-somewhere thing or a hard lean-in. Turns out it's the latter with a healthy dose of the former. It is a company based in Muff, Ireland that makes liquor, and yes they know what the name means.

If you doubt it, check out their April Fool's Day post from this year...just delightfully dirty.

Once you're past the name, though, you've got to have a good product for me to care, and boy do they. I'm joined by Laura Bonner, founder of Muff Liquor Company and probably the closest connection I'll ever have to Jimmy Carr and Ed Sheeran. She's made Muff Liquors of these men, joining Russell Crowe and other notable celebs as spokespeople and investors.

The journey was long and hard, and nothing came easy (ok, last puns, I promise). COVID nearly put them under before they could begin. Now, they're thriving, and the US market awaits.

Muff Liquor's Irish Whiskey is a delicious pour, smoked apples and gentle, sweet peat, at a ridiculously affordable price point (all of their products are $34.99 MSRP, give or take). Take a shot - see if you enjoy diving into the Muff as much as I did (ok, THAT's the last one).

Thank you to Laura for entering to 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!

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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.

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The Muff Liquor Company

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Blueberry Muffins in Cognac and an Ice Cream Collab Waiting To Happen

Allison Parc began as a ballet dancer, and nearly 20 years after leaving that career behind, she still exudes the confidence and posture of one about to assume first position. Her new career, embarked upon at just 23 years old, was wildly different: one grounded in a product of indulgence and imbibing. Even she was unsure if she'd succeed - yet succeed she has, going from renting a Citi-bike and riding around NYC selling Brenne by the bottle to multiple acquisitions and international acclaim.

Brenne is the first French whisky to grace the podcast, and that was purposeful. France has thousands of distilleries making whiskies and brandies, many of them as small as the smallest craft producers in the US yet putting out incredibly unique spirits. For Allison, Brenne was born of a partnership with a cognac-maker who spent a few weeks every year making spirit from malt rather than grapes. The stills, the terroir, the maker all combine into a flavor profile that is so recognizable I'd argue it can't be blinded (blueberry pancakes or muffin tops are shared notes by everyone I know who has tasted it).

Whether the soft approachability of the Brenne Estate Cask or the more assertive reward of the Brenne 10 Year Old, this is a beautiful pair of whiskies. These profiles were built on years of testing the market, sending bottles on a barrel-by-barrel basis to see which ones hit the consumer the best (the first time I've heard of this method, and one requiring great patience).

Singular. Unique. These words are overused, but here I found them more appropriate than for most.

As Allison steps back from full-time work at Brenne toward her next chapter, she joined me to reflect on the steps taken and her own journey. Allison's candid reflections on the challenges of entrepreneurship, including the realities of burnout and the need for self-care in a demanding industry will resonate with you as with me. Most of all, remember these two thoughts of wisdom from Allison: we all have trauma, and it is our responsibility to deal with it, and that only you can achieve your dreams. Take the first step, and the support net will grow.

Thank you to Allison for entering to 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!

• BAXUS Website
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_________________________________________________________

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.

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Brenne Whisky

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Shochu Tradition Meets The New Japanese Whisky

In Kagoshima, along one of the longest beaches in Japan, lies Kanosuke Distillery. Though the family has been distilling shochu for 140+ years, they hadn't entered the whisky sphere. That changed in 2017, with the first products coming out in 2021.

This is a new standard for Japanese whisky, making grain whisky on shochu stills and using Japanese stills to distill the malt. They've aged as much as 40% of their new make in their own shochu casks, and the component series I've tasted with just the shochu cask-aged spirit is as different a Japanese whisky as I've had in years.

As they enter the US market more fully, the Kanosuke team is led by Roland Ng, a techie-turned-whiskyphile who serves as General Manager for the Americas and is also a founder of Fog City Social. He's a guy who knows his whisky (and is a great hang out!), and I'm glad to call him a friend.

Thank you to Roland for entering to 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!

• BAXUS Website
• BAXUS on Instagram
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• BAXUS on LinkedIn

_________________________________________________________

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, Facebook and LinkedIn, and subscribe to the newsletter on the website.

Kanosuke Distillery

• Kanosuke Distillery. Website
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He's ozonating spirits, y'all - what the hell.

I'm thrilled to welcome back my friend, distilling guru, alchemist, historian, artist, swearer, and so many more things, Alan Bishop.

There's no need for long show notes on this one. It's a wild ride, from injecting ozone into sunflower spirit to what it means to be the face and embodiment of a brand. Everything else in the middle is a bonus.

Yes there's cursing. Yes there's dirt dished. Unclench your ass, strap in, and enjoy the ride.

Thank you to Alan for returning to 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!

• BAXUS Website
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_________________________________________________________

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, Facebook and LinkedIn, and subscribe to the newsletter on the website.

Old Homestead Distilling Co.

• • Old Homestead Distilling Co. Website
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Where I Spent More Time With A Cat Than In The Distillery

Though I really ought to return!

Leiper's Fork Distillery was founded by Lee Kennedy, who had a long-standing fascination with the history and science of whiskey production (starting with a Fox Fire book series I'd never heard of, all about Appalachian life). After experimenting with home distilling as a teenager, Kennedy pursued establishing the distillery in Williamson County, Tennessee, facing the same hurdles faced by recent and past guests such as Chattanooga Whiskey and even Jack Daniel's.

The distillery's design and production methods are heavily influenced by the Scots-Irish heritage of whiskey making, with a focus on using local ingredients and traditional pot still techniques and designs to create a singular new make spirit while still playing with things like Vienna malt. The distillery has found unexpected success in attracting tourists, with close to 30,000 paid tours per year, leveraging the scenic rural setting and historic buildings to return to pre-COVID levels of foot traffic.

Finally, something I love to highlight whenever possible: beyond whiskey production, Leiper's Fork Distillery is actively involved in the local community and has established the Freedom Whiskey Foundation to support transitioning Special Operations veterans, providing scholarships, networking, and entrepreneurial assistance.

Thank you to Lee 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!

• BAXUS Website
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• BAXUS on LinkedIn

_________________________________________________________

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

There are two (2) spots available at the $25/month bottle share club level. These are the last spots that will ever be opened without a current member retiring - if you've been waiting, now's the time!

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

Leiper's Fork Distillery

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Sugar Kelp, A Little Peat, And A Vision For The Future

I first heard about - well, read about - Isle of Harris Distillery in Dave Broom's A Sense of Place. A small community known for its beauty, its tweed, and its declining population, its would-be savior was not a Scot at all, but an American who had grown fond of the area (owning an island nearby) and wanted to save it.

How though? A distillery - not one that would fall into the cycle of boom and bust that had doomed so many previous ventures seeking to draw people back to the island, but one built for generational growth. It would be of the island - Hearach - and for the Hearach, the islanders.

Its gin shocked the market, being both simple and elegant. Flavored with sugar kelp harvested by hand nearby and in a Stranger & Stranger-designed waveform bottle, it rode the wave of gins right at the crest to such success that the whisky could continue to age.

In 2023, The Hearach Single Malt debuted to stunning fanfare. The Tarbert Ten - the original 10 employees - had grown to 50, with more growth ahead and long-term sustainability in mind. If that's not enticing enough, just take a listen - there's something to love here, a great deal, in fact, and I'm thrilled to have taken the time to bring you their story.

Thank you to Shona and Iona 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!

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

There are four (4) spots available at the $25/month bottle share club level. These are the last spots that will ever be opened without a current member retiring - if you've been waiting, now's the time!

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

Isle of Harris Distillery

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