Tasting 21 - Sherry Bombs

TASTING 21 5th December 2025

Our “Sherry Bomb” tasting evening introduced our guests to the tastes available from single malt whiskies matured or finished in casks previously used for Sherry production, or storage and shipping.

Sherry was imported in vast quantities to Scotland during the 1800s, from the European continent, and the empty barrels were ideal for storing and transporting whisky from the now legal distilleries to the shops and pubs. The influence of the sherry flavours became increasing important, leading to distilleries such as Macallan maturing all their spirit in Sherry casks.

There are many types of Sherry produced in Spain and Portugal and most have now been used to in scotch whisky production, each giving different characteristics to the whisky. The description ‘Sherry bomb’ if often used to describe heavily sherried whiskies that are particularly sweet and fruity and have a dark amber colour.

For this tasting we welcomed Joe Wilson, the Head Curator and Spirits Specialist at Whisky Auctioneer, one of the largest spirits auction houses in the UK, based in Perth. He took our guests through each whisky and provided stories and anecdotes about the business he is involved in and the wider whisky industry. His input was enjoyed and appreciated by all.

At the halfway point we paused for a delicious serving of Thai Green Curry Chicken. 

Whisky 1

• Distillery: Royal Brackla

• Age: 18 years old

• Cask type: Palo Cortado

• ABV: 46%

• Price: £149.95

Whisky 2

• Distillery: Craigellachie

• Vintage: 2007

• Age: 16 years old

• Cask type: Old Malt Cask Sherry

• ABV: 50%

• Price: £100.00

Whisky 3

• Region: Orkney (HP)

• Vintage: 2011

• Age: 14 years old

• Cask type: Amontillado Sherry

• ABV: 57.1%

• Price: £50.00

Whisky 4

• Distillery: Edradour

• Vintage: 2015

• Age: 10 years old

• Cask type: Pedro Ximenez

• ABV: 46%

• Price: £60.00

Whisky 5

• Distillery: Glen Garioch

• Age: 15 years old

• Cask type: Matured (Oloroso)

• ABV: 53.7%

• Price: £100.00

Whisky 6

• Region: Speyside (M)

• Vintage: 2009

• Age: 16 years old

• Cask type: Signatory Oloroso

• Strength: 100 Proof

• ABV: 57.1%

• Price: £80.00