Stranahan’s Sherry Cask Review

At the end of Stranahan’s Cask Thief 2018, I had a whole bar of Stranahan’s whiskeys and expertly made cocktails at my fingertips. I could have had anything and yet the only thing I wanted was this. The Stranahan’s Sherry Cask, which I’d had for the first time the day before at the distillery tour.

Stranahan's Sherry Cask

Created from a combination of first-fill and refill ex-Oloroso Sherry casks, this whiskey starts out life as a 4-year-old American Single malt that would be destined for use in a Diamond Peak release, but whose course gets re-routed into Andalusian barrels. And there it sits till it’s ready… whenever that is. If there’s one thing I took away from visiting them it’s this – Stranahan’s doesn’t rush anything; it takes the time it takes. Simple as that.

Stranahan’s Sherry Cask Review: Details and Tasting Notes

Stranahan's Sherry Cask Sample

In Stranahan’s Words: Stranahan’s Sherry Cask

Stranahan’s Sherry Cask is our latest innovation & expression in single malt. 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, leaving a depth of flavor soaked into the ancient oak staves.

Stranahan’s Sherry Cask price, ABV, age and other details

Region: Colorado, USA

Distiller: Stranahan’s
Mash Bill: 100% Malted Barley
Cask: New Charred Oak + Oloroso Sherry (First Fill & Refill)
Age: 4+ years
ABV: 47%

Non-Chill Filtered | Natural Color

Batch: 3

Price: $80

Stranahan's Sherry Cask is a mix of first-fill and refill sherry casks aged for at least 4 years.

Stranahan’s Sherry Cask Tasting Notes

EYE
Ruddy copper

NOSE
Butterscotch, dried strawberry, cocoa, vermouth, citrus zest, vanilla, oak, malt and bits of spice and dried fruit.

PALATE
Dried dark fruit, sherry, baking spice, citrus, cocoa, vanilla, vermouth, char, leather and copper.

FINISH
Long -> Sherry, copper, citrus, dark fruit and malt.

BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Great balance, round full body and an oily feel.

Stranahan’s Sherry Cask Review: OVERALL

The aroma is fruity and slightly dark with nutty undertones and the palate is a straight up sherry bomb that echoes down a long finish. This was my favorite all around whiskey we tried on the Stranahan’s Distillery tour and was in high competition for what I was most interested in sipping on as Cask Thief 2018 wrapped up. I was so enamored I requested a sample for review… and then drank it.

And having drank it, with some friends of course, I promptly went out and bought a bottle of Stranahan’s Sherry Cask to compare and review. It’s noticeably different from a heavily sherried Scotch, but in ways that are uniquely delicious and work to deliver a deep and dynamic whiskey. American single malt has a heavily sherried contender and it can definitely hold its own.

SCORE: 89/100 (B+)

Stranahan's Sherry Cask Review