Stranahan’s Sherry Cask 008 Review

Stranahan’s Sherry Cask 008 is the fourth batch I’ve had since first trying it at the 2018 Stranahan’s Cask Thief event and I have to say… it keeps getting better. It’s getting more dialed in, more robust and multi-facted. It’s becoming one heck of a whiskey and as far as I’m concerned, it’s the best sherry-finished American Single Malt on the market… so far.

I reviewed Sherry Cask Batch 003 several years ago and before that I tried Batch 002 at an event. Batch 003 and 004 were at the Cask Thief and now we’re digging into Stranahan’s Sherry Batch 008. Will it hold up to the previous batches? Can it hold on to that “best of” title? Only one way to find out.

Let’s get to drinkin’!

Stranahan’s Sherry Cask 008 – Details and Tasting Notes

Whiskey Details

Non-Chill Filtered | Natural Color

Style: Single Malt (American)
Region: Colorado, USA
Distiller: Stranahan’s

Mash Bill: 100% Malted Barley
Cask: New Charred Oak (#3), ex-Oloroso Sherry
Age: 4+ Years
ABV: 47%

Batch: 008
Bottle: 2,112

Stranahan’s Sherry Cask Price: $75*

Related Whiskey

Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey
Stranahan’s Sherry Cask
Stranahan’s Diamond Peak
Stranahan’s Blue Peak
Virginia Distillery Courage and Conviction Single Malt

White background tasting shot with the Stranahan's Sherry Cask 008 bottle and a glass of whiskey next to it.

“We take our four-year-old Rocky Mountain Single Malt and then transfer it to 500-liter Oloroso Sherry Barrels to cask finish. Procured from the Andalusia region of southern Spain, these sherry barrels have been aging wine for over 40 years.” – Stranahan’s

Stranahan’s Sherry Cask Tasting Notes

EYE
Bloody copper

NOSE
Fudgy dark fruit, oak, copper, hazelnuts and leather with some spiced citrus and vanilla.

Aroma is warm and rides evenly – well structured.

PALATE
Oaky, sherry, dried dark fruit, leather, roasted nuts, leather, oil, graham, cocoa and a bit of citrus and herbal baking spice.

There’s a nice berry sweetness in that dried dark fruit that weaves its way through the flavor.

FINISH
Long -> Dried dark fruit, blackberry licorice, oak and nuts.

BALANCE, BODY and FEEL
Good, med-full, touch dry warm

Stranahan’s Sherry Cask 008 – Overall Thoughts and Score

Batch 008 has plenty of oak layering through the sweet notes which is accompanied by dashes of spice and an underpinning of earthy notes. A nice berry sweetness starts light and builds as it goes and brings a bit more cocoa with it as it opens. The graham and leathery notes also rise with the earthiness popping in more heavily at intervals. Yup, this is good.

I wouldn’t say it’s better than any of the previous batches I’ve had, they’ve all been great. This one has a bit more of a berry-like sweetness and a bit more earthiness than previous batches, but in regards to quality, it hits the same marks. There is nothing at all to dislike, but plenty to love, about Stranahan’s Sherry Cask 008, it’s quite nice on all fronts.

SCORE: 4/5 (good, definitely recommend ~ B+ | 87-89)

*Disclosure: The bottle for this American Single Malt review was graciously sent to me by the company without obligation. The views, opinions, and tasting notes are 100% my own.