High West Double Rye Liquor Barn Single Barrel Oloroso Sherry Finish 750ML

High West Double Rye Liquor Barn Single Barrel Oloroso Sherry Finish 750ML is a single barrel rye whiskey finished in Oloroso Sherry casks, bottled at 98.8 proof (49.4% ABV) in a 750ml bottle. This private barrel selection takes the already spice-forward Double Rye blend and adds eight months of secondary maturation in Oloroso Sherry barrels, introducing layers of dried fruit and nuttiness not found in the standard expression.

Quick Facts: ABV: 49.4% (98.8 proof)  |  Origin: Utah, United States  |  Oloroso Sherry Cask Finish (8 Months)  |  Distillery: High West Distillery

Production & Heritage

High West Distillery was founded in 2006 by David Perkins in Park City, Utah, and was acquired by Constellation Brands in 2016. The distillery built its reputation on expertly blended American whiskeys, and Double Rye is one of its flagship expressions — a blend of two distinct straight rye whiskeys, one with a 95% rye and 5% malted barley mashbill and another with a higher proportion of malted rye. This particular single barrel selection underwent an additional eight months of finishing in Oloroso Sherry casks, a style of fortified wine barrel known for imparting rich, oxidative flavors of dried fruit, walnut, and dark caramel. The result is a limited expression that layers the characteristic herbal, botanical intensity of the Double Rye with the weight and sweetness of sherry-seasoned oak.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Rye spice — cinnamon stick and clove — leads immediately, followed by dried fig and dark raisin carried over from the sherry cask. A secondary wave of toasted walnut and faint dark chocolate rounds out the nose.

Taste: The entry is assertive with peppery rye grain and anise, characteristic of the Double Rye blend. At mid-palate, the sherry influence takes hold, introducing stewed plum, honey, and a distinct nuttiness. The two profiles converge into a rich, slightly tannic sweetness that holds without becoming cloying.

Finish: Medium-long with lingering clove, dried dark fruit, and a pleasant cocoa-like bitterness on the tail. The rye spice reasserts itself as the sherry sweetness fades, keeping the finish dry and structured.

How to Drink Double Rye Sherry Finish

At 98.8 proof, this drinks well neat but also rewards a few drops of water, which opens up the sherry-derived fruit notes and softens the rye grain's bite. A single large ice cube works equally well for a slower, more approachable session.

For cocktails, the sherry influence gives this bottle unusual versatility: a Manhattan benefits from the built-in dried fruit sweetness, reducing the need for heavily sweet vermouth; a Vieux Carré gains added complexity from the nutty, oxidative character that mirrors the cocktail's Bénédictine component; and a Sazerac takes on a darker, richer dimension where the sherry tannins complement the absinthe rinse beautifully.

Best For

• Rye whiskey enthusiasts looking to explore cask-finished variations beyond bourbon barrel aging
• Gifting to a whiskey collector who appreciates limited single barrel selections
• Side-by-side tastings comparing the standard Double Rye against this sherry-finished expression
• Mixing elevated, spirit-forward cocktails where dried fruit and spice depth are desired

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Double Rye Sherry Finish taste like? The dominant profile is peppery rye spice — cinnamon, clove, and anise — layered with dried dark fruit, honey, and walnut from the eight-month Oloroso Sherry cask finish. It strikes a balance between the herbal intensity of the rye blend and the rich, slightly tannic sweetness of the sherry wood.

How does Double Rye Sherry Finish compare to Sagamore Spirit Barrel Select? Both are high-rye whiskeys selected at barrel strength for single barrel programs, but the High West expression starts from a blend of two rye mashbills and adds the Oloroso Sherry finish, yielding more dried fruit and nuttiness. Sagamore Spirit Barrel Select, produced in Maryland using limestone-filtered water, tends toward a leaner, more grain-forward profile without secondary cask influence.

Is Double Rye Sherry Finish good for sipping neat? At 49.4% ABV, it sits at a proof that most experienced whiskey drinkers find approachable neat, with enough concentration to deliver full flavor without excessive heat. A few drops of water will further open the sherry-derived fruit notes for those who prefer a gentler pour.

Where is Double Rye Sherry Finish made? High West Distillery is based in Park City, Utah, with distilling operations in nearby Wanship, Utah. The Double Rye blend historically incorporates rye whiskeys sourced from MGP in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, with the Oloroso Sherry cask finishing completed under High West's direction.

What foods pair well with Double Rye Sherry Finish? Dark chocolate truffles complement the cocoa and dried fruit notes nicely. Aged Manchego cheese mirrors the nutty, slightly oxidative sherry character. Charcuterie with cured salami and fig jam echoes the whiskey's spice-meets-fruit dynamic. Roasted duck with a berry glaze stands up to the proof and amplifies the dried plum notes. Walnut-studded blue cheese ties directly into the sherry cask's nutty influence.

What sizes does Double Rye Sherry Finish come in? This single barrel selection is available in the standard 750ml bottle size.

Is Double Rye Sherry Finish worth the price? This expression positions as a limited, premium-tier rye whiskey that sits above the standard Double Rye in both complexity and price. The eight-month sherry cask finish and single barrel selection process add genuine flavor differentiation that justifies the step up for drinkers who value cask-influenced rye whiskeys.

Why Double Rye Sherry Finish?

What separates this bottle from the crowded field of finished rye whiskeys is the starting point: High West's Double Rye blend already carries an unusually complex, almost botanical spice character that many rye whiskeys lack. Layering eight months of Oloroso Sherry cask maturation on top of that foundation creates a whiskey where the dried fruit and nut influence from the cask genuinely integrates with the rye spice rather than masking it. At 98.8 proof and as a single barrel selection, this is a bottle with enough concentration and individuality to reward close attention — and enough versatility to anchor a serious cocktail when the occasion calls for it.