3 of the best Oloroso Whiskies to try for 2025

Here are 3 of the best Oloroso Whiskies to try for 2025.

Oloroso sherry casks have become a cornerstone of whisky maturation, prized for the rich, bold flavours they impart to the spirit. Here’s a closer look at three whiskies that showcase the magic of maturation, perfect for exploring the oloroso style.

What is oloroso sherry?

Oloroso sherry is a dry, oxidatively aged fortified wine from Spain’s Jerez region. It’s known for its intense flavours of dried fruits, toasted nuts, and a hint of leather. You can learn more by reading our guide to sherry.

Oloroso sherry and whisky?

When used in whisky maturation, oloroso casks transform the spirit by imparting bold notes like raisins, figs, hazelnut,  and treacle.

The key is how it strikes a balance between sweetness and savoury richness. If it was all sticky dried fruit, that would create a one-dimensional whisky. Nutty, leathery, spicy elements help sherried whisky a complex beast.

The tannins and oils from the cask also enhance the whisky’s mouthfeel, lending a velvety texture that feels indulgent and luxurious. The flavours and texture particularly suit the winter months.

But sherried whisky isn’t just for Christmas. It’s for life! So here are three oloroso whiskies worth seeking out. 

1. Millstone Oloroso Sherry Cask

Dutch distiller Zuidam delivers a hidden gem with this single malt. Aged entirely in oloroso sherry casks, it offers notes of prunes, orange zest, and roasted hazelnuts, with a touch of cinnamon spice on the finish. The balance between fruit and wood influence is masterful, making this a standout.

2. Olorosum 10 Year Old Whisky

Olorosum by name… this is a masterful showcase of the power of sherry cask maturation. Treated to an extremely generous finish in oloroso sherry casks before being bottled up without added colour or chill filtration at a hearty 54.7% ABV, this whisky bursts with rich notes of raisins, Christmas cake, and roasted nuts, backed by a touch of dark chocolate and orange zest. 

3. James E. Pepper 3 Year Old – Oloroso Cask Finish (That Boutique-y Whisky Company) Whiskey

Independently bottled rye whiskey from James E. Pepper finished in oloroso casks. You don’t really see much American whiskey go through a secondary maturation in sherry casks, perhaps that rarity is why That Boutique-y Whisky Company wanted to bottle it up. 

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