Whiskey is more than just another liquor – it is a whole new world of exploration and discovery. Real whiskey lovers drink whiskey to experience and appreciate its colors, aromas, tastes, legacy, and story.
Sherried single malts are among the most coveted of Scotch whiskeys. These are aged in oak barrels that were once used to make the fortified wines of Spain. The sherry leaves a fruity and mahogany flavor behind, which is then transferred into single malts.
Let us explore five of the very best sherried single malt scotches.
#1. Glenfarclas 15 Single-Malt Sherried Scotch
Glenfarclas, a privately owned distillery, produces this whiskey. Glenfarclas distillery has different ranges of single-malt scotches and varies with age. One can infer age by looking at the darker color. This 15-year-old single malt whiskey is produced in a dense sherried cask.
Composition
The whiskey is non-chill filtered and has a higher ABV percentage of 46%. The color of the whiskey is natural, developed in fermentation from old sherry casks.
Glenfarclas whiskey carries the 60 year tradition of Glenfarclas distillery. The whiskey bears a story of different techniques and processing. In the processing of this whiskey, the application of fire prevents the baking of grains.
Color
Its most pleasing dark brown color evolved due to the perfect maturation of the product in the old sherry cask.
Aroma
By inhaling the aroma, one will feel the scents of oloroso sherry. Then, the aromas of alcohol and the sweet fragrance of fruit cakes will come to you. Next, it gives a smoky smell with a touch of spicy aromas. Then, the scent of ripe oranges comes to an end by leaving the spicy scent of cinnamon.
Delicacy
At the first sip, the intense aromas of sherries coat your mouth. Next, a bitterness comes with a slight coffee note, and it tastes like burnt oak. The taste remains fruity and ends with a medium note of cinnamon. This is a truly beautiful single-malt whiskey.
Cost
Glenfarclas 15 scotch costs €57/750mL ($70) in European countries. The price is quite reasonable for such aged single-malt sherried whiskey.
#2. Highland Park Dark Origins Sherried Scotch
Highland Park distillery, located in the Orkney islands, manufactures this whiskey. The distillery has produced several whiskey flavors. This particular variety is matured in double-filled sherry casks, bringing single-malt characteristics. It is known as one of the classic single-malt sherried scotches.
Composition
Highland Park’s Dark Origin is non-chill filtered, dark brown colored Scotch. The ABV percentage is 46.8% which makes it fairly intense. The distillery uses barley as the main mash-bill and matures it in double-filled sherries.
Color
The packaging is sleek and unique. The Scotch’s dark color comes from its imbued fruits and sherry essences. Pouring the solution into a glass, you will be able to see the gorgeous brown amber color.
Aroma
It has an intense aroma of cherries. The fragrance stays for a while, then a spicy scent evolves and ends very smooth.
Delicacy
At the first sip, you will get a very robust flavor of sherries. Ahead, a bitterness of oak. The solution feels quite dry in the mouth. A metallic coat spreads over your tongue. The manufacturers state that this is due to the fine quality of the sherry essences. Adding a little bit of water will make you feel hydrated.
Cost
It costs around €70 ($84/750mL), a reasonable price for a non-age-statement whiskey. The double-distillation process increases its value even more. This whiskey has sold in large quantities worldwide.
#3. Aberlour 16 Single Malt Scotch
Aberlour distilleries produces this scotch in a bourbon cask followed by a sherry cask, aged over 16 years. The whiskey does not show great oak influence, but it has a bit more spicy impact. The bottle provides a very classy look. The distillery is named after the shoreside village of Aberlour in Spain.
Composition
Aberlour whiskey has an ABV percentage of 43%, which is more intense than some other liquors. Aberlour distillery has been making whiskeys for around six generations, and has maintained their old processing technique with some new modifications.
Color
The whiskey has a beautiful golden amber hue, but it is artificially colored.
Aroma
Of course, the first step of experiencing a good whiskey is to engage in its scent. You will get a smooth and subtle floral fragrance by nosing it. Then, the fruitiness and spiciness from the sherried cask will impress you. The aromas of cherries are not very dominant in this step.
Delicacy
At your first sip, a mouthwatering sweet flavor occupies the room. The intense flavor of sherry and spiciness from the cask leaves a great impact. Ahead, you will have the taste of oloroso sherry cask produced from American oak.
Cost
The price of €60 ($72) for 750mL is a fairly moderate price for a whiskey with an age statement. It is worth a try with its fantastic blend of double-filled sherries.
#4. Dalmore 18 Single Malt Scotch
Dalmore 18-year-old whiskey comes from the northern highlands of Scotland. The whiskey is matured for 14 years in bourbon casks and then 2 years in sherry casks. Then, it is aged another 12 months in a standing sherry cask. Dalmore distilleries also sells this whiskey with a 12/15 years age statement. Dalmore 18 has a beautiful royal stag on its bottle as an honor to the king from 1253.
Composition
Dalmore 18 whiskey has an ABV percentage of 43%. The packaging is eye-catching and magnificent. The package comes with an extended stand, and the opening is closed with magnets.
Color
The whiskey has a touch of copper glow, but it is artificially colored.
Aroma
Taking the whiskey to the nose, you will immediately smell Christmas cake. The sweet fragrance of vanilla, orange, coffee, and dark chocolate occupies the room. Ahead, you would feel the spicy aromas of nutmeg, cinnamon, and black pepper.
Delicacy
Having the first sip, you will get an oily and thick layer of cherries and spices. Ahead, you will feel the fruitiness of orange peel, citrus fruit without any sweetness. Then, the flavors end with the bitterness of oak and coffee. You will get more sherry flavors than an average whiskey, but less sherry flavor than a typical sherried finished whiskey.
Cost
The whiskey comes for around €100 ($120) for 750 mL, which is a reasonable price. The whiskey delivers its flavors exactly as it promises.
#5. Dalmore 18 Single Malt Sherried Scotch
Dalmore distilleries produces and manufactures this whiskey. Whiskeys with 12-15 years of age statements are also available from this distillery. They prefer to use old sherry casks and American bourbon casks. The quality of liquor has changed from the past because the distillery split into two. In 2003, Dalmore distilleries re-launched this single malt whiskey with new packaging.
Composition
The whiskey has an ABV percentage of 43%, which is ideal for a scotch whiskey. Dalmore 18 is one of the best peated sherried single-malt Scotch. The Scotch matures in the humid weather of Scottish Island. The main ingredient in this whiskey is barley.
Color
It has a charming mellow mahogany color, but it is artificially colored once again.
Aroma
Taking it close to your nose, an intense sherried note becomes revealed. Like many sherried whiskeys, this one has sherry and fruity characteristics. A smokiness and peaty character appears as well.
Delicacy
At the first sip, you will get a full sweetness. Ahead, you will get the flavors of dark chocolate, which is not bitter. Then, the taste of cocoa and the flavors stays for a long time. The whiskey has an excellent balance of flavors.
Cost
They cost around €80 ($96) for 750 mL. The bottle also comes in a miniature form. It is one of the best selling sherried single malt scotch whiskeys.
Parting Words
Whiskeys can become very interesting as they can be infused with all sorts of flavors, with one of the most popular infusions being wines.
Today, we have discussed the best sherried single malt scotches. This type of whiskey has a higher ABV and a sherry influence due to aging in sherry casks. We hope this introduction encourages you to explore these and other variations of whiskey, as there are certainly many to try out there. Happy drinking!
