Best Sherry Casks Whiskies

Last Updated on: 6th May 2024, 01:31 pm

J Highland

J Highland is a certified sommelier with 30 years in the liquor industry, owning a pub, a liquor store, and moonlighting as a spirits distiller.

Discover your next favorite!

Written by: J Highland

Best Sherry Cask Whisky for Every Taste:

Looking for a classic and well-rounded sherry experience?

• Glenallachie 12 Year Old: Banana, caramel - A full-bodied whisky with delightful sweetness thanks to a combination of Pedro Ximénez and oloroso sherry casks. (Enjoy with a splash of water).

Prefer a budget-friendly and exceptionally smooth option?

• GlenDronach 12 Year Old: Caramel, honey - Offers a delightful and nutty taste with an ideal spiciness and warmth. (Enjoy neat).

Open to a luxurious and easy-drinking sherry dram?

• Macallan 12 Year Old Sherry Oak: Vanilla, dried fruit - A smooth and mellow whisky with a sherry cask version offering sweetness compared to the oakier Double Cask. (Enjoy with a splash of water).

Intrigued by a slightly smoky and complex sherry experience?

• Bunnahabhain 12: Light smoke, raisin - The least smoky whisky from Islay with a subtle whiff of smoke for added complexity. (Enjoy with a splash of water).

Seeking a unique Speyside sherry with occasional funky notes?

• Mortlach 12 Year Old: Caramel, vanilla - Offers complexity, better body, and greater satisfaction than Glenlivet 12. (Enjoy with a splash of water).

Want a rich and chocolatey sherry dram with a unique ruby port finish?

• Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban: Chocolate, almonds - A smooth and easy-drinking whisky with balanced sweetness and a delightful chocolatey character. (Enjoy neat).

Looking for an everyday sherry sipper with balanced flavors?

• Aberlour 14 Year Old: Vanilla, apple - A well-rounded sherry whisky with a harmonious balance of flavors, making it great for everyday sipping. (Enjoy with a splash of water).

Craving a sherry symphony with a hint of spice and good value?

• Glendronach Revival: Apple, pear - Offers a wonderful array of tasting notes and a satisfying warmth. (Enjoy with a splash of water).

Open to a single cask sherry experience with a higher proof?

• The Balvenie Single Barrel 15: Red fruit, hazelnut - A rare single barrel release with a vibrant flavor profile of baking spices and a smooth, sherry-kissed character. (Enjoy with a splash of water).

Love a bold and rich "sherry bomb"?

• Bladnoch Adela: Raisins, almonds - A Speyside whisky that explodes with rich, sherried flavors for a full-bodied experience. (Enjoy with a splash of water).

Willing to splurge on the ultimate sherry cask experience?

• Macallan 18 Sherry Oak: Dates, raisins - The benchmark by which others are measured, offering exceptional quality, richness, complexity, and depth of flavor. (Enjoy neat).

Considering a top-shelf Speyside sherry with a well-rounded profile?

• GlenDronach 18: Sherry, caramel - A smooth and full-bodied dram with a complexity of flavors, perfect for savoring neat. (Enjoy neat).

Quick Note: Running a pub and liquor store provides me ample access to various spirits, in addition, I moonlight as a spirits distiller. I assess them using customer feedback, expert opinions and online research.

Quick Look at the Best Sherry Cask Whiskies

Prices are approximate and stated in USD:

A Sherry Gem: Glenallachie 12 Year Old

• Nose: Banana, almond, oak
• Palate: Banana, caramel, raisins, chocolate
• Finish: Medium, oak, chocolate
• Alcohol content: 92 proof (46% ABV)
• How to drink: Add water
• Smoke Level: Zero

The Glenallachie 12 year old is a must-try for its unique character and commitment to quality. This single malt Scotch undergoes maturation in sherry casks, leaving it unfiltered and uncolored for a truly authentic experience.

The result? A full-bodied whisky bursting with delightful sweetness, thanks to a combination of Pedro Ximénez and oloroso sherry casks alongside virgin oak casks. This interplay of casks creates a complex yet balanced flavor profile, perfect for those seeking a flavorful and smooth Sherry Scotch, states whiskey expert Neil Coleman.

The Sherry-Kissed Delight: GlenDronach 12 Year Old

• Nose: Caramel, honey, apple
• Palate: Vanilla, caramel, dried fruit
• Finish: Oak, dried fruit, sherry
• Alcohol content: 86 proof (43% ABV)
• How to drink: Neat
• Smoke Level: Zero

The GlenDronach 12 stands out due to its aging process in Oloroso and Pedro Ximenez casks, which infuses the whisky with a distinct sherry influence, resulting in a delightfully nutty and sweet taste.

This whisky is exceptionally smooth and satisfying, showcasing an ideal level of spiciness and warmth that will appeal to sherry enthusiasts.

With its pleasing flavor profile, there is no need to dilute it with ice or water.

Best of all, it is offered at an unbeatable price point.

Luxurious Sherry Sipping: Macallan 12 Year Old Sherry Oak

• Nose: Vanilla, dried fruit, oak
• Palate: Vanilla, dried fruit, oak, prune
• Finish: Oak, sherry
• Alcohol content: 86 proof (43% ABV)
• How to drink: Add water
• Smoke Level: Zero

A Macallan whisky may not be budget-friendly whisky, but the quality and the bragging rights it offers are well worth the price.

The Macallan Sherry Oak 12 is a delightful and smooth whisky with a mellow character, offering a sip that's free of any harshness.

It proves to be quite easy to drink and serves as the sherry cask version of the Macallan Double Cask, which is more appealing to most consumers due to the added sweetness from sherry wines, in contrast to the stronger oak notes of the Double Cask.

Bunnahabhain 12: Smoky Sherry Twist on Islay

• Nose: Light smoke, raisin, prune, cocoa
• Palate: Sherry, red fruit, oak spice
• Finish: Medium, roasted nuts, oak spice
• Alcohol content: 92 proof (46% ABV)
• How to drink: Add water
• Smoke Level: 😮‍💨

The Bunnahabhain 12, not only showcases a rich sherry influence but also incorporates a subtle whiff of smoke, adding complexity that may appeal differently to individuals.

Although produced on Islay, known for its heavily smoky whiskies, the Bunnahabhain 12 is the least smoky whisky from the island.

This whisky offers an excellent option for those who prefer a milder, less smoky taste, making it a good starting point for individuals new to peated whiskies and fond of sherry cask tasting notes.

I recommend adding a dash of water to fully appreciate its flavors.

Speyside's Enigma: Mortlach 12 Year Old

• Nose: Caramel, vanilla, orchard fruits, almond, oak
• Palate: Orchard fruits, baking spice, roasted nuts, orange
• Finish: Medium, baking spice, caramel
• Alcohol content: 87 proof (43.4% ABV)
• How to drink: Add water
• Smoke Level: Zero

Mortlach captures the essence of Speyside Scotch with unique twists that set it apart from the crowd.

Occasional funky notes add to its truly enjoyable experience, making it more than just a generic offering.

For those familiar with Glenlivet 12, Mortlach will feel somewhat similar, but with added complexity, better body, and greater satisfaction.

At its current price, it provides excellent value for the quality and tastes it offers, making it a solid introduction to the brand.

Rich Ruby Delight: Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban

• Nose: Oak, almond, coffee, caramel
• Palate: Chocolate, almonds, blackcurrant, raisins
• Finish: Long, chocolate, berries
• Alcohol content: 92 proof (46% ABV)
• How to drink: Neat
• Smoke Level: Zero

Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban isn't your average malt. This 12-year-old Speyside whisky enjoys a unique aging process. After maturing in ex-bourbon casks, it spends two years in ruby port pipes, resulting in rich, complex flavors.

Quinta Ruban shines with balanced sweetness and a delightful chocolatey character. It's smooth and easy to drink, lacking any harshness. At a fair price point, this award-winning dram offers fantastic value and deserves a place on your shelf.

Aberlour 14 Year Old: Everyday Sherry Sipping

• Nose: Vanilla, apple, plum, dates
• Palate: Apple, pear, vanilla, plum, dates
• Finish: Oak, plums, tobacco, clove
• Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
• How to drink: Add water
• Smoke Level: Zero

The Aberlour 14 year old single malt is a well-rounded sherry whisky. It doesn't boast any one overpowering characteristic, but rather achieves a harmonious balance of flavors.

This makes it a great choice for everyday sipping. Compared to younger Aberlour whiskies, the 14 year old offers a more refined and substantial profile, making it a nice upgrade.

Glendronach Revival: Sherry Symphony with a Hint of Spice

• Nose: Alcohol, figs, cookie dough, tobacco
• Palate: Apple, pear, berries, tobacco, coffee
• Finish: Medium, figs, clove, oak
• Alcohol content: 92 proof (46% ABV)
• How to drink: Add water
• Smoke Level: Zero

While there may be a slight initial whiff of alcohol and a desire for a slightly thicker body, the Glendronach Revival is undoubtedly enjoyable, presenting a wonderful array of tasting notes.

The proof level provides a satisfying warmth without overwhelming the senses.

Priced just over $100 USD, it offers excellent value for those who appreciate well-crafted sherried whisky.

A Single Cask Gem: The Balvenie Single Barrel 15

• Nose: Red fruit, hazelnut, chocolate
• Palate: Baking spice, sherry, vanilla, figs, plums
• Finish: Long, baking spice, brown sugar
• Alcohol content: 96 proof (48% ABV)
• How to drink: Add water
• Smoke Level: Zero

Unlike most Scotch whiskies, The Balvenie Single Barrel 15 boasts a unique identity. Sourced from a single exceptional cask, it offers a taste unlike any other Balvenie expression.

This rare single barrel release makes up for the brand's usual lighter body with a vibrant flavor profile. Expect rich baking spices alongside a smooth, sherry-kissed character. Despite its higher proof, it remains enjoyable, avoiding an overpowering sweetness.

Bladnoch Adela: A Rich Sherry Dram

• Nose: Raisins, almonds, honey, oak
• Palate: Red fruit, raisins, dates, dark chocolate, baking spice
• Finish: Medium, chocolate, ginger, pepper
• Alcohol content: 94 proof (47% ABV)
• How to drink: Add water
• Smoke Level: Zero

Calling all sherry cask fans! Bladnoch Adela is a must-try single malt.

This Speyside whisky explodes with rich, sherried flavors, making it a true "sherry bomb." The captivating nose hints at the decadent flavors to come, while the palate delivers a full-bodied experience. The finish offers a pleasant warmth that lingers without overpowering.

If you enjoy bold, sherry-aged whiskies, Bladnoch Adela is sure to impress.

The Macallan 18 Sherry Oak: The Crown Jewel of Sherry Casks

• Nose: Dates, raisins, oak, cinnamon, clove
• Palate: Oak, baking spice, dark chocolate, raisin
• Finish: Long, tobacco, chocolate, dried fruit
• Alcohol content: 86 proof (43% ABV)
• How to drink: Neat
• Smoke Level: Zero

Macallan 18 Sherry Oak reigns supreme in the world of sherry cask single malts. This Speyside whisky justifies its price tag with exceptional quality. Despite its relatively lower alcohol content (ABV), it delivers remarkable richness, complexity, and depth of flavor.

Macallan 18 isn't just another sherry cask whisky; it's the benchmark by which others are measured. Often surpassing competitors, it's a whisky meant to be savored neat, not rushed in a cocktail. Prepare for a truly luxurious sherry cask experience.

GlenDronach 18: A Signature Speyside Sherry Masterpiece

• Nose: Sherry, caramel, almond
• Palate: Sherry, caramel, orange zest, almond, chocolate
• Finish: Tobacco, leather
• Alcohol content: 92 proof (46% ABV)
• How to drink: Neat
• Smoke Level: Zero

GlenDronach caps off this roundup with a flourish, showcasing the brand's exceptional quality. Their 18-year-old single malt is a well-rounded and thoroughly enjoyable dram.

Despite its higher ABV (46%), it remains smooth and full-bodied, perfect for savoring neat. The complexity of flavors is both thought-provoking and pleasurable, offering a rewarding sipping experience. This expression delivers excellent value for its quality, making it a strong contender for the title of top GlenDronach.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Were These Whisky Selections Curated?

• The selection was curated based on wide availability, avoiding rare bottles with high prices.
• The choices reflect expert advice, customer feedback, and market research to identify current whisky trends.

What are the Benefits of Aging Scotch in Sherry Casks?

• Aging Scotch in sherry casks adds depth, with sweet, fruity notes like raisins, figs, and dates.
• It imparts a dark amber color and complex flavors such as almond, toffee, and spiced chocolate.

How Does Sherry Cask Aging Differ from Sherry Cask Finishing?

• Sherry Cask Aging: The whisky matures entirely in sherry casks, fully absorbing the rich sherry characteristics.
• Sherry Cask Finishing: The whisky initially ages in traditional oak barrels, then finishes in sherry casks for a subtler sherry influence.

What is an Oloroso Cask?

• An Oloroso cask previously held Oloroso sherry, known for its dark, aromatic, and robust flavor profile.

What is an Amontillado Sherry Cask?

• An Amontillado sherry cask contained Amontillado sherry, which undergoes both under-flor and oxidative aging, resulting in amber color and nutty flavors.

Is it Sweet?

• Yes, this type of whisky is known for its inherent sweetness from the sherry cask influence.

What are the Types of Sherry Cask Scotch Whisky?

• Common types include Oloroso, Pedro Ximenez (PX), and Fino sherry cask Scotch whiskies.

How Long is Scotch Aged in Sherry Casks?

• The aging period varies, ranging from several months to years, based on the desired flavor profile.

Can Sherry Cask Scotch Whisky Be a Single Malt or Blend?

• It can be either. Single malt versions are from one distillery, while blends combine whiskies from multiple distilleries.

Is it Good for Beginners?

• Its sweetness and fruity profile can be appealing to beginners, but exploring various styles is recommended to find personal preferences.