With a rich quality, velvety mouthfeel, and a fruit-forward appeal, our Sherry Cask Finish whiskey always brings something special to the table (or bar). But, what exactly goes into this award-winning American Single Malt Whiskey?
Like all American Single Malts, barrel aging is key, but making this Colorado whiskey is more like an art versus a science. To develop its nuanced, intense flavor, this whiskey requires a level of craft that can only come from our Denver team of masterful distillers.
Infused with traditional Scottish techniques and new-age American innovation, Sherry Cask Finish is one of our most unique and unexpectedly complex expressions.
Stranahan’s American Single Malt Whiskey: The Foundation
Before we can finish our best in class American Single Malt in a Pedro Ximenez cask, we have to start with mastering the basics.
Like any Stranahan’s Single Malt Whiskey, our distillers combine 100% malted barley, yeast, and pure Rocky Mountain spring water with patience and precision. Double-distilled, matured for 5-7 years in new American white oak barrels, it’s a testament to the restraint our craft demands. But patience has its reward. You’ll taste delectable notes of vanilla, caramel, and signature spice layered within every sip.
Now that we have the foundation of our spirit, it’s time to get into the Sherry Cask Finish magic. When the time’s just right, our master distillers call in Pedro Ximénez barrels for the finishing touch. These barrels, that were once full of one of the richest, most complex sweet Spanish wines, create layers of indulgent flavors like jammy fruits, luscious honey, and nutty brine.
Why Pedro Ximénez Casks Create Exceptional Whiskey
So what makes whiskey aged in sherry casks so special? And what exactly is Pedro Ximénez?
Across the pond under the warm Spanish sun, white wine grapes grow by the bushel in Andalusia, Spain. These juicy drops are called Pedro Ximénez (PX for short) and they’re deeply rooted in European winemaking tradition.
Dried in the sun before fermentation for an extra layer of sweetness, PX grapes are often used to craft sherry, that luscious, rich, and dark dessert wine we mentioned earlier. With a higher ABV, ranging from 15% to 22%, and large sugar content, sherry might appear like wine on the surface, but it is much more complex.
While the sherry ages in the casks, the wood absorbs all the intense, molasses-like flavors. The result: smooth notes of raisin, dried figs, dates, and candied fruits in every intriguing sip.
Once the sherry is removed, a whole new flavor journey begins for our whiskey. When our American Single Malt Whiskey gets the green light from our masterful distillers, it’s time to transfer from American oak barrels to Pedro Ximénez barrels for cask finishing. From here, head distiller Justin Aden, tastes, evaluates, and most importantly waits until it reaches our golden standard.
When Whiskey Meets Sherry: The Cask-Finishing Process
For those who understand whiskey mastery, you’ll know that it’s all in the details. Our distillers pay special attention to every whiskey we produce, but this especially rings true with cask finishes.
It starts with Colorado’s unique climate shaping the character of our American Single Malt. But the real magic happens when the PX barrel’s sugar-infused wood acts like its own special ingredient, interacting with the spirit in real time. These barrels impart notes of dried fruit, figs, dates, grape syrup, jam, and candied fruit.
More than just storage, this finishing period, ranging from 3 to 12 months, can dictate how the whiskey will taste, smell, and even feel. It’s our Head Blender’s expertise and vast knowledge that tells them exactly when it’s ready to bottle. In Stranahan’s Sherry Cask Finish, they’re looking for notes of honey, Montmorency cherries, blackcurrant, and walnut on the palate, as well as caramel, whipped cream, brown sugar, and a touch of smoked cayenne on the finish.
Savor the Moment: How to Drink Sherry Cask Finish Whiskey Like a Pro
Now that you know how we craft our award-winning Sherry Cask Finish American Single Malt Whiskey, one of the most celebrated Colorado whiskeys, it’s time to learn how to drink whiskey like a pro. This is a pour that can hold a conversation all on its own, so we recommend enjoying it neat, or with an ice cube, for the best whiskey tasting experience possible.
For those who want to take their whiskey appreciation a step further, there’s also plenty of whiskey and cheese pairings to explore. With a whiskey like this one, your glass can stand up to young, semi-firm cheeses like Gouda or Manchego, to complement the fruitiness of the whiskey; or, play up the sherry’s nutty qualities with sharper cheeses like Jarlsberg or Comté, and Gruyère.
Ultimately, there’s no wrong way to enjoy this masterpiece-worthy bottle, especially if you’re an appreciator of the craft that went into making it.
Discover the Taste of the Most Awarded American Single Malt Whiskey
In today’s world, there’s an expectation for excellence at a moment’s notice. And yet, our award-winning whiskey is a testament that good things come to those who wait. Lovers of the spirit agree, the patience practiced by our team of distillers shines in every single pour, ranking us as the Most Awarded American Single Malt Whiskey* in the category.
It’s our honor to be recognized as one of the top Colorado whiskey distilleries since our opening in 2004. If you’re in the Front Range, visit us in Denver and book a whiskey distillery tour for an immersive experience and tasting of our Sherry Cask Finish whiskey. Or, drop by the Stranahan’s Whiskey Lodge in Aspen on your mountainside getaway. Regardless, you’ll witness firsthand mastery from the finest and experience some of the best-tasting whiskey you’ve ever had. We guarantee it.
And for our out-of-state and traveling friends who want to get their hands on a bottle, you can stock your shelf with one of Stranahan’s finest – among the best American Single Malts – by getting our Sherry Cask Finish Single Malt Whiskey delivered to your home or by finding a Stranahan’s Whiskey near you.
*Claims based on 2020 – 2025 award results; third-party audit conducted by Avid Marketing Group.
