Taylor Cream Sherry 1.5L

Taylor Cream Sherry 1.5L is a sweet, fortified American sherry made from Concord grapes in New York's Finger Lakes region, bottled at 18% ABV. This generous large-format bottle earned a Gold Medal at the San Francisco International Wine Competition and has received a 90-point rating from Wine Enthusiast, establishing it as a standout among domestic cream sherries.

Quick Facts: ABV: 18%  |  Origin: Finger Lakes, New York  |  Cream Sherry  |  Distillery: Taylor Wine Company

Production & Heritage

The Taylor Wine Company was founded in 1880 in the Finger Lakes region of upstate New York, an area known for its cool-climate viticulture and long tradition of working with native American grape varieties. Taylor Cream Sherry is produced primarily from Concord grapes, a bold choice that gives the wine its distinctively sweet, full-bodied character — quite different from the Palomino-based sherries of Spain's Jerez triangle. The blending process focuses on achieving a smooth, dessert-style profile with layered sweetness and a nutty depth that has become the brand's signature.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Deep amber in the glass, the nose opens with warm toffee and roasted nuts. Beneath that initial sweetness, subtle hints of caramelized fig and dried fruit round out a rich, inviting bouquet.

Taste: The entry is lush and sweet, immediately delivering Concord grape richness alongside toasted nut and toffee flavors. At mid-palate, the sweetness deepens with caramelized fig and a soft, almost creamy texture. The overall impression is of concentrated fruit balanced by nutty complexity.

Finish: The finish is moderately long, trailing off with notes of burnt caramel and coffee. A lingering nuttiness and gentle sweetness keep the palate engaged well after the last sip.

How to Drink Taylor Cream Sherry

Serve slightly chilled in a small tulip glass to concentrate the aromas and temper the sweetness; it also works well over a single large ice cube on warm evenings. A Sherry Cobbler — the classic 19th-century cocktail with muddled citrus and crushed ice — highlights the wine's nutty sweetness beautifully. A Sherry Flip, shaken with a whole egg and a touch of nutmeg, transforms the toffee notes into a rich, dessert-like drink. For a simple mixed serve, a Sherry and Tonic stretches the sweetness into a lighter, effervescent aperitif.

Best For

• After-dinner sipping alongside dessert courses
• Holiday entertaining where a crowd-friendly, large-format bottle is practical
• Cooking applications like glazes, reductions, and cream sauces
• Introducing sweet wine beginners to the sherry category

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Taylor Cream Sherry taste like? Taylor Cream Sherry delivers a sweet, full-bodied profile dominated by toffee, roasted nuts, and caramelized fig, with a finish marked by burnt caramel and coffee. The Concord grape base gives it a richer, fruitier character than most traditional Spanish cream sherries.

How does Taylor Cream Sherry compare to Osborne Cream Sherry? Osborne Cream Sherry is produced in Jerez, Spain, from Palomino and Pedro Ximénez grapes, giving it a more traditionally European profile with drier undertones. Taylor leans sweeter and fruitier due to its Concord grape base, making it a distinctly American interpretation of the cream sherry style.

Is Taylor Cream Sherry good for beginners? Its approachable sweetness and smooth, low-tannin profile make it an excellent entry point for anyone new to sherry or fortified wines in general. The familiar Concord grape flavor also eases the transition for those more accustomed to sweeter wine styles.

Where is Taylor Cream Sherry made? Taylor Cream Sherry is produced by the Taylor Wine Company in the Finger Lakes region of upstate New York, a winemaking area with roots dating back to the mid-1800s. The company itself was founded in 1880.

What foods pair well with Taylor Cream Sherry? Blue cheese and aged cheddar complement its nutty sweetness; pecan pie and crème brûlée echo its toffee and caramel notes; roasted pork loin with a fruit glaze matches its rich body; dark chocolate truffles play off the coffee finish; and spiced nuts mirror the toasted nut aromas directly.

What sizes does Taylor Cream Sherry come in? Taylor Cream Sherry is widely available in the 1.5L large-format bottle as well as a standard 750ml size, making it versatile for both personal use and larger gatherings.

Is Taylor Cream Sherry worth the price? Taylor Cream Sherry positions squarely in the value tier of cream sherries, and the 1.5L format offers especially strong volume-to-cost efficiency. For a Gold Medal and 90-point-rated wine at this price level, it consistently over-delivers relative to expectations.

Why Taylor Cream Sherry?

A Gold Medal from the San Francisco International Wine Competition and a 90-point Wine Enthusiast score are rare distinctions for a wine in this price tier, and they speak to the quality Taylor has maintained since 1880. The Concord grape base sets this apart from every imported cream sherry on the market, producing a uniquely American flavor profile that is sweeter, fruitier, and more immediately approachable. The 1.5L format — twice the standard bottle — makes it a practical choice for entertaining, cooking, or simply keeping a versatile dessert wine on hand without frequent restocking. Few cream sherries at any price point combine this level of critical recognition with this kind of everyday accessibility.