The World’s Best Sherry And Port Finished Bourbon From Top Spirit Competitions

Cask finishing, putting a mature spirit in a barrel that previously held another liquid, has become extremely popular among beverage companies. Here’s a selection of Sherry and Port cask-finished bourbons, many priced well under $100, with multiple gold medals or 90+ point awards in major competitions.

The practice of cask-finishing started in the Scotch whisky industry but has since spread to other whiskey producers. Cask-finishing bourbon in barrels that previously held Sherry or Port has been particularly popular, adding sweetness, dried fruit, and various other flavors, from nuts to chocolate, to a bourbon’s aroma and flavor profile while also making it smoother.

Belle Meade Sherry Cask Bourbon, $172

International Wines & Spirits Competition, Gold; San Francisco World Spirits Competition, Gold; World Whisky Awards, Gold; Ultimate Spirits Challenge, 92 points; International Whisky Competition, Gold.

Produced by Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery in Tennessee, Belle Meade crafts small-batch bourbons with unique finishes. The Sherry cask bourbon features powerful flavors of dried fruit, chocolate, and dark cherry, with a warm sherried finish.

Angel’s Envy Kentucky Straight Bourbon Finished in Port Wine Barrels, $53

San Francisco World Spirits Competition, Double Gold; International Wines & Spirits Competition, Gold; Ultimate Spirits Challenge, 93 points; Whisky Advocate, 91 points; Internation Whisky Competition, Gold.

Known for finishing bourbon in port barrels, Angel’s Envy in Louisville, Kentucky, is a leader in barrel experimentation. The bourbon is smooth, featuring notes of vanilla, caramel, and dark fruit, with a velvety port-finished richness.

Isaac Bowman Port Barrel Finished Bourbon, $47

San Francisco World Spirits Competition, Gold; International Wines & Spirits Competition, Gold; Ultimate Spirits Challenge, 90 points; Whisky Advocate, 91 points; International Whisky Competition, Gold.

The Bowman Distillery in Virginia uses port barrel finishing for enhanced fruity and rich profiles. The bourbon is smooth and balanced with caramel, red fruit, and a smooth, fruity finish from the Port influence.

Woodinville Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Port Barrels, $52

International Wines & Spirits Competition, Gold; San Francisco World Spirits Competition, Gold; Ultimate Spirits Challenge, 92 points; International Whisky Competition, Gold; World Whisky Awards, Gold.

Washington-based Woodinville Distillery uses high-quality, local ingredients and innovative barrel finishes. The bourbon features dark cherry, caramel, and a touch of spice, with a velvety port-laced finish.

Breckenridge Port Cask Finished Bourbon Whiskey, $59

International Wines & Spirits Competition, Gold; World Whisky Awards, Gold; Ultimate Spirits Challenge, 91 points; International Whisky Competition, Gold; San Francisco World Spirits Competition, Gold.

Breckenridge Distillery in Colorado emphasizes local ingredients and various unique finishes, including Port barrels. The bourbon features rich flavors of cherry, honey, and chocolate with a soft Port finish.

Rabbit Hole Dareringer PX Sherry Cask Finished Bourbon, $84

International Wines & Spirits Competition, Gold; San Francisco World Spirits Competition, Gold; Ultimate Spirits Challenge, 90 points; Whisky Advocate, 90 points; International Whisky Competition, Gold.

Louisville’s Rabbit Hole Distillery is known for Sherry cask finishes, lending depth and fruitiness. The bourbon features a pronounced Sherry influence with fig, caramel, and a rich finish.

Town Branch Sherry Cask Finished Bourbon, $73

International Wines & Spirits Competition, Gold; World Whisky Awards, Gold; Ultimate Spirits Challenge, 90 points; International Whisky Competition, Gold; San Francisco World Spirits Competition, Gold.

Located in Lexington, Kentucky, Town Branch’s Sherry finishes add sweet complexity. The bourbon features dark cherry, oak, and hints of spice with a balanced, rich finish.

Wild Turkey Master’s Keep Revival – Oloroso Sherry Cask, $540

International Wines & Spirits Competition, Gold; International Whisky Competition, Gold; World Whisky Awards, Gold; San Francisco World Spirits Competition, Gold; Ultimate Spirits Challenge, 90 points.

Wild Turkey’s sherried bourbon is rich and aromatic on the nose, featuring notes of dried dark fruits, especially figs and golden raisins along with caramel, wood spices and subtle aged leather notes. The palate is robust and smooth, with an oily viscous texture, showcasing flavors of caramel, cherry and wood spice nots of cinnamon and nutmeg. The sherry cask influence is evident, with additional layers of dark chocolate, and roasted almonds. The finish is long and sweet, with lingering notes of cooked and dried, jam-like fruit, seasoned oak and assorted wood spices.

Old Elk Straight Bourbon Finished in Sherry Casks, $118

International Wines & Spirits Competition, Gold; World Whisky Awards, Gold; San Francisco World Spirits Competition, Gold; International Whisky Competition, Gold; Ultimate Spirits Challenge, 90 points.

Colorado’s Old Elk creates unique finishes to enhance classic bourbon notes. The bourbon features dried fruit, honey, and subtle spice, with a rich Sherry finish.

These bourbons each showcase unique flavors enhanced by Sherry or Port cask finishes and have earned top honors for their quality. If you like sweetness in your bourbon and appreciate the enhanced smoothness that sweet/fortified wine finishes create, then these whiskeys are worth trying.

Cheers