Middle West Spirits Double Cask Sherry Finish Bourbon 750ML

Middle West Spirits Double Cask Sherry Finish Bourbon is a 750ml, 48.63% ABV (97.25 proof) Ohio bourbon aged five years and finished in sun-blackened Spanish Solera Sherry casks. This expression earned Best in Show at the 2024 TAG Global Spirits Awards, adding to a string of major recognitions including Best Bourbon from the American Distilling Institute in 2018 and an Innovation Award at the 2019 American Craft Spirits Awards.

Quick Facts: ABV: 48.63% (97.25 proof)  |  Origin: Columbus, Ohio, USA  |  5-Year Age Statement  |  Distillery: Middle West Spirits

Production & Heritage

Middle West Spirits operates out of Columbus, Ohio, drawing on the city's 150-year-old German heritage tradition to shape its grain selections. The mashbill features open-pollinated yellow corn, soft red winter wheat, dark pumpernickel rye, and 2-row barley — the pumpernickel rye being a particularly unusual choice that distinguishes this bourbon from conventional expressions. The whiskey spends five years maturing first in freshly toasted American white oak barrels before undergoing a secondary finish in sun-blackened Spanish Solera Sherry casks, a double-cask process that layers dried fruit and nutty complexity over the base bourbon character.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Gingerbread and molasses emerge first, followed by dried fruits, cigar box, and warm allspice. Underneath, cereal grain sweetness and a subtle baking-spice quality anchor the aromatics.

Taste: The entry is rich with cherry and plum, quickly deepening into dates and marzipan at the mid-palate. Rye bread and lush red fruits weave through a center of nutty dark chocolate, while plum and roasted coffee beans plant themselves firmly on the tongue. Fruitcake and treacle notes add further density as the palate develops.

Finish: Medium-long, with charred dry oak and walnut syrup lingering alongside underlying stone fruits. The sherry influence holds steady through the close, leaving a warm, slightly tannic dryness.

How to Drink Double Cask Sherry Finish

At 97.25 proof, this bourbon opens up beautifully neat or with a few drops of water, which coaxes out the dried fruit and marzipan notes. A single large ice cube tames the proof while preserving the sherry cask influence.

• Manhattan: The plum and dark chocolate complexity replaces the need for a heavily sweetened vermouth, creating a fruit-forward, layered variation.
• Boulevardier: Sherry-finished sweetness stands up to Campari's bitterness, resulting in a richer, more dessert-like take on the classic.
• Old Fashioned: The existing molasses and dried fruit character means minimal sugar is needed, letting the pumpernickel rye spice and oak shine through.

Best For

• Gifting a whiskey enthusiast who already owns the standard bourbon lineup
• After-dinner sipping alongside a cheese board or dessert course
• Exploring cask-finished American whiskey beyond Kentucky distilleries
• Building a curated home bar shelf focused on craft and regional distilling

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Double Cask Sherry Finish taste like? The dominant profile centers on cherry, plum, and dates layered over nutty dark chocolate and rye bread, with marzipan and fruitcake richness from the Solera Sherry cask finish. It drinks at a full 97.25 proof but carries its weight with rounded, fruit-driven sweetness rather than heat.

How does Double Cask Sherry Finish compare to Angel's Envy? Both are cask-finished bourbons, but Angel's Envy uses port wine barrels and bottles at a lower 43.3% ABV, resulting in a softer, lighter profile leaning toward vanilla and stone fruit. Middle West's expression runs hotter at 48.63% ABV, and the Spanish Solera Sherry casks push it toward darker dried fruit, cigar box, and nutty chocolate territory.

Is Double Cask Sherry Finish good for sipping neat? Yes — at 97.25 proof it has enough structure and complexity to reward slow, undiluted sipping, though a few drops of water help unlock the deeper sherry-influenced aromatics of gingerbread and allspice.

Where is Double Cask Sherry Finish made? It is distilled and aged at Middle West Spirits in Columbus, Ohio. The distillery draws on the region's German heritage, particularly in its use of dark pumpernickel rye within the mashbill.

What foods pair well with Double Cask Sherry Finish? Aged Manchego or Gouda complement the nutty sherry notes. Dark chocolate truffles echo the cocoa and coffee undercurrents. Roasted duck or pork belly with a fruit glaze mirrors the bourbon's plum and cherry character. Dried fruit and nut boards align naturally with the Solera cask influence. Gingerbread or spiced cake picks up the warm baking-spice aromatics.

What sizes does Double Cask Sherry Finish come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle at 48.63% ABV.

Is Double Cask Sherry Finish worth the price? This expression positions as a premium craft bourbon, justified by its five-year age statement, distinctive pumpernickel rye mashbill, labor-intensive double-cask finishing process, and consistent recognition at national and international spirits competitions.

Why Double Cask Sherry Finish?

What separates this bourbon from the crowded field of cask-finished whiskeys is the mashbill. Dark pumpernickel rye is virtually unheard of in American bourbon production, and its contribution — a bready, earthy backbone — gives the sherry cask finishing something genuinely different to work with. The result is a whiskey that has now collected major awards across five consecutive competition cycles, from the American Distilling Institute's Best Bourbon in 2018 through the TAG Global Spirits Awards Best in Show in 2024. For drinkers looking beyond mainstream Kentucky offerings, this is one of the most decorated and distinctive craft bourbons currently in production.