Oak & Grist Distilling Company will release a nine-year-old American single malt whiskey on Friday 4 September, drawn from one of the earliest barrels filled by the Black Mountain, North Carolina distillery. Only 192 bottles of Barrel #09 will be available, making it one of the oldest whiskeys currently offered by a North Carolina distillery.
Barrel #09 was filled on 29 May 2017 in a 53-gallon ex-Four Roses bourbon barrel. The cask was stored at ground level in Oak & Grist’s warehouse, where it remained largely undisturbed for nine years and 63 days.
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Its position exposed the barrel to a cooler environment than many of the distillery’s other barrels. This slowed maturation and allowed softer, more nuanced barrel influence to develop over almost a decade.
The release arrives as the distillery approaches a milestone. Founded in 2017, Oak & Grist will celebrate its 10th anniversary in 2027.
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Oak & Grist describes itself as a “100% grain to glass distillery,” brewing, fermenting, distilling and aging its whiskey in Western North Carolina. It sources most of its ingredients within 60 miles of production.
Founder William Goldberg studied sustainable agriculture at Warren Wilson College before spending roughly a decade as a small-batch cheesemaker. His training and mentorship are rooted in Scotland’s Speyside region.
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READ THE STORYThe nine-year release is made from 100% local pale and heritage malted barley from Riverbend Malt House. The barley is sourced from Shelby, North Carolina, about 60 miles from the distillery.
Bottled at 92.5 proof (46.25% ABV), the whiskey retails for $122.95 (£91).
According to the official notes from the brand, the whiskey opens with baked apple pie, tangerine, vanilla bean, worn leather, macadamia nut and toffee. The palate brings lemon meringue, pipe tobacco, apple tart, honeyed herbs, black tea and cacao, followed by a prolonged finish with warming spice.
“Our nine year-old whiskey celebrates the influence this region has on our craft,” said Goldberg.
“It is a rich and expressive spirit brewed, fermented, distilled and aged to honor our roots and distinguish our vision for American single malt whiskey.”
The whiskey will be released at the distillery, at 1556 Grovestone Road, Black Mountain. The distillery will celebrate throughout Labor Day weekend with cocktail specials, food vendors and community partners.
