Sherry Cask Whisky – Living up to the Hype

Scotch Whisky is one of the most sophisticated brown spirits in the world. Every distillery in Scotland has its own style, and you can spend your entire life enjoying such distinctions.

Amongst all types of whisky, Sherry Cask Whisky is gaining an impressive following. Although the idea of whisky aged in Sherry casks seems pretty straightforward, the category is more in-depth than you think.

How did Sherry Cask Whisky come to be? Why are these barrels so special? And most importantly, what does Sherry Cask Whisky taste like? And is it for you? Here’s all you need to know about this extraordinary spirit.

The Intimate Relationship Between Scotland and Sherry

The relationship between Scotland and Sherry goes back for a few centuries, all the way to the 1600s. Back then, Sherry has incredibly popular in the Scottish Highlands, even before Whisky itself gained the popularity it enjoys today. In fact, notable Whisky entrepreneurs owned quite a few Sherry ‘Bodegas’ at the time, so it’s easy to see why the Spanish fortified wine was Scotland’s darling.

Sherry arrived at Glasgow and Leith in casks and was distributed from there. And although Scottish people were fond of the fortified wine, they soon gained interest for the casks it came in.

Scotland has limited resources when it comes to oak wood, so using the casks arriving at their shores to age their whisky became the norm. Of course, this was not only a matter of convenience; whisky aged in Sherry casks gained a gorgeous character and a wide array of flavours and aromas. Sherry Cask Whisky was born.

Eventually, Sherry imports to Scotland decreased, and the Spanish producers began to bottle their wine before shipping. The Iberian casks became a rarity, and today, Sherry Cask Whisky is one of the most sought out styles by Whisky lovers and connoisseurs alike.

How Do Sherry Casks Influence Whisky?

Everyone, from winemakers to whisky producers, knows oak is more than a malleable, light-weight wood. Oak adds colour and flavour to any liquid stored in it. From scents reminiscent of shaved coconut to brown spices, caramel and vanilla. Oak barrels alone give the drinks we know and love their identity.

When the oak casks are used to store Sherry, they are even more expressive. Whisky aged in Sherry casks gains immense depth of flavour and an ever-evolving nose redolent of sweet, dried fruit, toasted nuts, clove, resin and spices.

Whisky matured in Sherry Casks benefits for the wood influence and the wine’s personality, and with casks varying in age, a diverse range of Sherry, the combinations are endless.

Why Do Sherry Cask Whisky Has Such a Huge Fan Base?

There’s no doubt all whisky bottles are charming, and they’re all unique. Some whiskies are smoky, and others are floral. Still, the most alluring and intricate are more than extraordinary malts; they’ve gained a new layer of flavour and aroma from Sherry oak ageing.

Young whisky enthusiasts are falling for the subtle Sherry scents in their favourite whisky, and even the most traditionalist whisky collectors fall for the charms of such exquisite liquid gold.

Of course, ageing whisky in authentic Sherry casks comes at a cost. The process is not inexpensive. This means whisky lovers often have to pay a premium for such luxurious treatment. It’s worth every penny.

Enjoy the Finest Sherry Cask Whisky at Global Whisky

If you want to enjoy the very essence of Sherry Cask Whisky, Global Whisky Limited, one of the most highly regarded independent bottlers in Scotland, is putting great effort into the time-consuming craft of ageing whisky in Spanish casks. The result is astounding!

With at least ten unique expressions of whisky aged in Oloroso Sherry casks in-house, Global Whisky’s ‘The Red Cask Company‘ collection is the perfect opportunity to learn more about the style. Both seasoned whisky drinkers and new aficionados will undoubtedly find a new reason to fall in love with Sherry Cask Whisky in these beautiful malts.