If you happen to needed to decide an all-time favourite end for whisky—scotch whisky specifically—it might be sherry. It is no accident that just about all of the whiskies within the record we current listed below are scotches, apart from a Finnish rye and an American single malt whose inspiration comes fully from Scotland. However there are numerous sides to the function of sherry in scotch whisky, together with distinctions between the assorted sherry types similar to oloroso, manzanilla, and Pedro Ximénez, amongst others. And there are scotch whiskies which might be sherry-finished versus being totally matured in sherry casks. The intense sherried scotch makers contract with bodegas in Jerez (and typically personal them, within the case of Macallan), they usually present very detailed specs on how their casks will probably be constructed and seasoned. However the really coveted sherried whiskies are these matured in barrels that really held sherry for prolonged durations of time. These are often very, very costly, but additionally take advantage of fascinating drink for individuals who love sherried scotch.
Sherry-Completed
94 factors – Lagg Corriecravie Version Sherry Cask Completed Single Malt Scotch, 55%, $100
This is likely one of the first single malts from Lagg, a sister distillery of Lochranza Distillery which owns the Arran label and one of many two distilleries on the north finish of the island. It is aged in bourbon barrels earlier than spending 6 months in Oloroso Sherry hogsheads sourced straight from Migeul Martin, a family-owned sherry producer additionally utilized by Glenfarclas, in Jerez Spain. It is peated at 55 components per million, together with the opposite core single malt on this vary Lagg Kilmory Editon. On the nostril, this malt is perfumed by sweetness and smoke coming collectively in a rush of cherries jubilee, flambée cherries, and glazed roasted peanuts.
93 factors – Bunnahabhain 23 yr outdated Triple Sherry Wooden Completed Single Malt Scotch (Fèis Ìle 2024), 53.3%, $714
Indulging the label’s penchant for sherry-finished single malts, this cask-strength expression is a triple sherry bomb. Amontillado, manzanilla, and oloroso casks are used to complete this annual limited-edition launch, poised to have a good time the Fèis Ìle, a yearly competition encompassing all issues Islay single malt whisky. Wealthy balanced wine flavors from the sherry end plus barrel char, soapiness, vanilla, and a touch of orange. An extended end of cherry vanilla ice cream, darkish chocolate, and black pepper mingles with the fruit flavors, resulting in a crescendo of whisky deliciousness.
93 factors – Kyrö Malt Rye Oloroso, 47.5%, $43
This expression is one in all 4 in Finnish-based Kyrö Distillery’s core vary, all made out of 100% malted ryes. It’s aged in American oak and bourbon barrels and completed in Oloroso sherry casks. The nostril has numerous sherry cask character with black cherry, dried vine fruit, Seville orange peel, date, walnut, caramel, and a touch of dry spices.
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93 factors – Loch Lomond The Open 24 yr outdated Manzanilla Sherry Wooden Single Malt Scotch, 47.1%, $300
Within the spirit of commemorating the house of The Open golf championship over a number of years, this whisky was distilled in 2000 and completed in butts that beforehand held Manzanilla sherry, a dry coastal white wine originating from the Andalusia area of southern Spain. That is older by 2 years than final yr’s version, a 22 yr outdated classic aged in Spanish Rioja Alta Reserva casks. It’s extremely fruity and juicy, with pink berries, cherry, apple pie, cinnamon, and caraway resulting in toffee, marzipan, and salted caramel because it will get creamier. Refined smoke joins almond paste and cinnamon on the end.
93 factors – Nc’nean Quiet Rebels Gordon Single Malt Scotch, 48.5%, $110
In celebration of workers who work on the Nc’nean, this was chosen by long-time distillery supervisor, Gordon Wooden. It boasts a majority end (74%) in STR (shaved-toasted-recharred) pink wine casks, sherry casks (19%), and Rivesaltes wine casks (17%) that beforehand held Riversaltes wine, a varied hued candy wine from Southern France. Mouthwatering aromas of untamed raspberry, candied citrus peel, plum, apple, and coriander seed. The STR, sherry, and Rivesaltes casks used for getting old the part whiskies create a luxuriously fruity end with enticing glimpses of pink wine.
91 The Final Drop Tomintoul 55 yr outdated Single Malt Scotch, 41.7%, $8,300
This uncommon whiskey, the oldest but from Speyside-based Tominoul Distillery, spent 20 months ending in Amoroso butts after being distilled in 1968 when the distillery was in its 5 yr infancy. A marvel of getting old, solely 582 bottles had been produced. On the palate, there’s dried peach, cocoa, raisin, baked apple, dried citrus, cola, darkish chocolate, wooden spices, and seasoned oak, with slightly elevate from the sherry. The end is drying with seasoned oak, sealing the impression that it’s a venerable outdated single malt.
Sherry-Matured
95 factors – Black Bull 30 yr outdated Sir Nick Faldo Version Blended Scotch, 50%, $350
This restricted version mix made in celebration of golfer Sir Nick Faldo options whisky vatted collectively in 1991 after which matured in sherry casks for at least 30 years. The mouthfeel is thick and wealthy with flavors of heather honey, toffee, dried fruit, peppercorn, baked apple, fruitcake, nutmeg, hazelnut praline, black cherry, and milk chocolate.
94 factors – Ardbeg Classic Y2K 23 yr outdated Single Malt Scotch, 46%, $800
A retrospective homage to the flip of the millennium, that is one in a collection of limited-release expressions that includes juice from 2000 which was then aged in bourbon and Oloroso casks. Distilled in Ardbeg’s historic nonetheless that was retired in 2001 after 51 years of service, this classic has a candy and zesty nostril with coal soot, honey-lemon lozenges, Peppermint Pattie, and traces of black licorice.
93 factors – Ardnahoe 5 yr outdated Inaugural Launch Single Malt Scotch, 50%, $88
A landmark output for Islay whisky maker Ardnahoe, this expression is the primary inaugural launch from the island in 15 years, following Kilchoman in 2009. It was matured in a mix of bourbon casks and Oloroso sherry casks. It’s well-rounded with out seeming youthful, displaying baking chocolate and a larger smoke presence rolling into the end atop waves of sherry fruit. Fairly a debut!
93 factors – The Impex Assortment (Distilled at Pokeno Distillery) 3 yr outdated New Zealand Single Malt (Cask No.20-26), 58.5%, $125
The spirits importer Impex just lately launched this single-cask expression distilled in New Zealand as part of a globally impressed portfolio. It stands alongside one other lesser-known expression out of Indri, India, and two single malt scotches from Speyside and Highland. This single malt was aged in first-fill casks that beforehand held Amontillado, a candy wine made out of palomino grape should that has undergone each oxidative and organic fermentation. A clean palate has these fruit notes displaying, together with honeyed apple tart and white pepper, adopted by an extended candy end of honey, clementines, and crème brûlée. Thick and wealthy, like an amazing sauternes wine held in stability by spice and oak.
93 factors – Isle of Raasay Dùn Cana First Version Single Malt Scotch, 52%, $100
First matured in first-fill Woodford Reserve rye casks, half of the ultimate product was secondarily matured in Oloroso quarter casks sourced from Bodega Jose, whereas the remaining half was matured in Pedro Ximenez casks sourced from Miguel Martin. It was then vatted in October 2023 earlier than being bottled into 14,000 models. The second version of this whisky was launched this previous September. Plenty of cooked fruits on the palate, with cherry, plum, leather-based, pink pear, clove, and black pepper displaying simply how highly effective these sherry quarter casks will be.
92 factors – Kilchoman Loch Gorm Single Malt Scotch (2024 Version), 46%, $125
An annual launch for the Islay-based label, this expression is completely aged in Oloroso sherry hogsheads and butts sourced from fashionable Spanish sherry cask producer, Jose Miguel Martin. Waves of smoky marmalade stability with aromas of black cherry, milk chocolate, and sanded oak: The smoke reveals a satisfying peaty edge. The sherry cask has loaded this with dried fruit traits of sultana, cherry, and citrus peel, matched with chocolate, singed oak, and peat smoke.
92 factors – Westland Flagship American Single Malt, 46%, $75
Part of single malt producer Westland’s core vary, this expression is aged in American Oak, bourbon casks, and first-fill and second-fill oloroso hogsheads and butts. By incorporating Scottish peat and sherry ending into this five-malt mashbill, it pays homage to the three earlier expressions from the core vary. The palate is lush, honeyed, and fruity, with notes of apricots, sliced apples, blackberries, chocolate bar, and hints of wafting cigar smoke. The whiskey is mild on its toes, but full-bodied.
90 factors – Little Relaxation Double Matured Cask Energy American Single Malt, 62.6%, $135
From New York’s Tenmile Distillery, this double matured expression spent 3 years in bourbon casks adopted by 6 months ending in first fill Oloroso casks. It is a sturdy sip, sitting at a cask energy of 62.6% ABV. The nostril is sort of earthy to start out, yielding licorice, cloves, anise, and a packet of dried herbs. With time, sweeter aromas come forth: peach rings, blueberry-maple syrup, vanilla extract, and blueberry-lemon scone.
