Your Christmas Whisky List: 5 Sherry Cask Gems
Your Christmas Whisky List: Sherry & Port Picks
Nothing beats a good pour when the holiday chaos hits, lights tangled, kids running wild, and the dog eating half the wrapping paper. I still remember last Christmas when I snuck away to the back porch with a sherry-kissed bourbon, letting the cold air and that sweet, warm sip reset my brain. So if you’re looking to level up your Christmas sipping this year, here’s a lineup of American whiskeys finished in sherry or port casks that’ll make your season feel a whole lot merrier (and maybe even calmer).
Angel’s Envy Port Finished Bourbon
Look, this one technically finishes in Port pipes, but the flavor profile is so dang close to a sherry bomb that every time I pour it people swear it’s Oloroso-finished. You get that dark cherry, raisin, and chocolate-covered almond thing going on with a fat Kentucky hug underneath. It’s smooth as hell at 86.6 proof, dangerously drinkable, and the bottle looks classy enough to leave out when the in-laws show up. Perfect for the guy who wants “fancy” without looking like he’s trying too hard. Buy it now!
Joseph Magnus “Cigar Blend”
Magnus takes their Murray Hill Club bourbon and finishes batches in Oloroso and PX sherry casks for the Cigar Blend releases. What you get is a freight train of dried fig, blackberry jam, dark chocolate, and baking spice that’ll knock your boots off. Usually 110+ proof, so sip slow or add a splash – this one’s the bottle that made my buddy swear he saw Santa riding a reindeer made of toffee. Buy it now!
Belle Meade Bourbon Sherry Cask Finish
This Tennessee-made bourbon is finished in oloroso sherry casks that give it a deep, holiday-ready character. It’s warm, sweet, and layered with dried fruit, toasted nuts, and a hint of dark caramel, making it an easy reach when you want something festive but not fussy. The bourbon backbone keeps everything grounded, while the sherry finish just nudges in a nice extra richness without going overboard. Buy it now!
Woodinville Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Port Barrels
Six months in, the emptied casks introduce a rich texture and notes of sticky baked plums and chocolate-covered cherries, creating a complex and delectable bourbon you can really chew on. Buy it now!
Garrison Brothers Guadalupe (Port Cask Finish)
Guadalupe is a bold Texas bourbon finished in port casks, offering rich layers of berry sweetness, caramel, and a touch of spice. The port influence gives it a deep, almost dessert-like vibe, but it still drinks like a proper American whiskey—big, warm, and satisfying. Great for slow sipping after dinner when you’re easing into the night. Buy it now!
Bardstown Bourbon Co. Copper & Kings Spanish Oloroso Sherry Finish
12-year-old Indiana bourbon finished in Spanish Oloroso sherry casks. Classic sherry notes of raisin and fig are balanced with bursts of candied orange and baking spice. a dry, complex palate of cedar and campfire leads to a balanced finish of ripe dates with subtle spice. Buy it now!
More Galleries