The Rickhouse Rant, Vol. 2 – Oaklore Straight Rye: The Best Rye You’ve Never Heard Of

Jun 7

Welcome back to the Rickhouse Rant — where the opinions are neat, and the sarcasm is barrel-proof.

Let’s just get this out of the way: Oaklore Straight Rye might be my favorite rye whiskey. Ever. Period. End of sentence. Roll credits.

I know, I know — you’ve probably never heard of it. It’s a local secret, straight outta North Carolina, and it’s not trying to be anything other than what it is: bold, complex, and criminally underrated. If this bottle were any more under the radar, it’d be on a CIA watchlist.

We recently took a trip to the Oaklore distillery (episode coming soon — you’ll want to see this), and let me tell you: the guys behind it are just about the nicest humans alive. Like, “offer-you-a-dram-and-help-you-move-a-couch” nice. But don’t let the Southern hospitality fool you — what they’re putting in barrels is serious whiskey.

And the Straight Rye? It’s a revelation.

📋 Tasting Breakdown:

Proof: 92

Age: 6+ years

Mash Bill: 70% rye, 20% corn and 10% malted barley.

Nose: Honeycomb, fresh dill, toasted marshmallow, and a sneaky hit of citrus zest

Palate: Herbal and sweet all at once — think spearmint, rye bread, burnt sugar, and a hint of tobacco

Finish: Long and clean with just enough heat to remind you it’s got a backbone — like a warm handshake from someone who could also win a bar fight

Final Take:

Oaklore Straight Rye doesn’t just punch above its weight — it rewrites the rules. It’s complex without being fussy. Smooth without being boring. Bold without turning into a hot mess.

If you’re in North Carolina and not drinking this? That’s on you.

So here’s to Oaklore: a small operation making big whiskey, and a rye that’s earned a permanent spot on my shelf.

Cheers,

— B

Resident Bourbon Nerd & Occasional Smartass