Middle West Spirits Double Cask Oloroso Wheat Whiskey 750ML

Middle West Spirits Double Cask Oloroso Wheat Whiskey 750ML is a 100-proof (50% ABV) American wheat whiskey aged five years and finished in Spanish oloroso sherry casks. It earned a Double Gold at the Pr%f Awards and Platinum from the American Spirits Council of Tasters, placing it among the most decorated craft wheat whiskeys produced in the Midwest.

Quick Facts: ABV: 50% (100 proof)  |  Origin: Columbus, Ohio, USA  |  5 Years, Oloroso Sherry Cask Finish  |  Distillery: Middle West Spirits

Production & Heritage

Middle West Spirits operates out of Columbus, Ohio, where it distills a range of grain-to-glass spirits. The Double Cask Oloroso begins with a 100% Ohio soft red winter wheat mashbill—making it a true wheat whiskey rather than a bourbon variant—which is aged for five years in lightly toasted American white oak barrels sourced from Ohio cooperages. The whiskey then undergoes a secondary maturation in Spanish oloroso sherry casks, a finishing step that layers rich dried-fruit and nutty complexity onto the naturally soft, creamy wheat spirit. Bottled at a robust 100 proof without the dilution common to many finished whiskeys, it retains full intensity from both cask influences.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Fig preserves and toasted hazelnuts rise first, followed by candied orange peel and dried apricot. A sherry-laced nuttiness and dark berry sweetness linger beneath, signaling the oloroso influence before the first sip.

Taste: The entry is velvety and round, characteristic of a wheat-forward mashbill, with golden raisin and honeyed cereal at the front. Mid-palate, the oloroso finish takes hold—dried plum, nutmeg, leather, and a wisp of black tea add savory depth. Toffee, dark chocolate, and warm cinnamon build toward a rich peak that balances sweetness against spice.

Finish: Long and layered, tapering through almond brittle, spiced cherry compote, and cocoa powder. A gentle oak sweetness and faint vanilla persist well after the sip, rewarding patient tasting.

How to Drink Double Cask Oloroso

At 100 proof, this whiskey stands up well neat but also benefits from a few drops of water, which open up the sherry-driven dried fruit notes without muting the wheat base's creaminess. On the rocks, it remains cohesive as dilution slowly reveals more of the candied citrus and nutty character.

• Vieux Carré: The oloroso richness mirrors the cocktail's traditional sweet vermouth component, adding dried plum and hazelnut depth alongside rye-based bitters.
• Manhattan: Swap in this wheat whiskey for a softer, rounder Manhattan where fig and toffee complement the vermouth's herbal notes.
• Brown Derby: The honeyed cereal sweetness and dark fruit pair naturally with grapefruit juice and honey syrup, creating a balanced citrus-forward cocktail.

Best For

• Gifting a whiskey enthusiast who appreciates sherry-cask finished spirits
• After-dinner sipping alongside dark chocolate or dried fruit boards
• Expanding a home bar beyond bourbon and rye with a distinctive wheat whiskey
• Tasting side-by-side with other cask-finished American whiskeys to explore the impact of oloroso sherry maturation

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Double Cask Oloroso taste like? It delivers a velvety, wheat-driven sweetness layered with fig, golden raisin, toffee, and dark chocolate from the oloroso sherry finish. Nutmeg, leather, and black tea add savory complexity that balances the fruit-forward profile.

How does Double Cask Oloroso compare to Middle West Spirits Ported Pumpernickel Rye? Both belong to the same Double Cask Collection, but the Oloroso uses a 100% wheat mashbill finished in sherry casks, producing a softer, dried-fruit-forward whiskey, while the Pumpernickel Rye uses a rye-based mashbill finished in port casks for a spicier, berry-driven character. Reviewers frequently evaluate the two head-to-head, with the Oloroso generally favored for its rounder mouthfeel and the Rye for its bolder spice.

Is Double Cask Oloroso good for sipping neat? Yes—its 100-proof bottling strength and five years of maturation give it enough structure and complexity to drink neat, and the creamy wheat base makes it approachable despite the higher ABV.

Where is Double Cask Oloroso made? It is distilled and aged at Middle West Spirits in Columbus, Ohio, using Ohio-grown soft red winter wheat and Ohio-sourced American white oak barrels before finishing in imported Spanish oloroso sherry casks.

What foods pair well with Double Cask Oloroso? Aged Manchego cheese complements the nutty sherry notes; dark chocolate truffles echo the cocoa and toffee on the finish; roasted figs mirror the dried-fruit aromatics; charcuterie with cured meats bridges the leather and spice tones; and almond pastries amplify the brittle note that lingers on the palate.

What sizes does Double Cask Oloroso come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle at 50% ABV (100 proof).

Is Double Cask Oloroso worth the price? It positions as a premium craft whiskey, and the five-year age statement, double-cask maturation, and 100-proof bottling offer strong value relative to similarly finished American whiskeys that often carry higher price tags with younger age statements or lower proof.

Why Double Cask Oloroso?

Few American wheat whiskeys undergo a legitimate oloroso sherry cask finish, and fewer still are bottled at full 100 proof after five years of maturation—making this a genuinely uncommon release in the craft whiskey landscape. The Platinum rating from the American Spirits Council of Tasters and Double Gold at the Pr%f Awards validate what the liquid delivers: a seamless integration of creamy wheat character with the oxidative dried-fruit richness that only authentic oloroso casks provide. Whisky Advocate scored it 86 points, and The Whiskey Wash rated it 89 points, reinforcing its consistency across independent evaluations. For drinkers seeking something beyond standard bourbon or rye finishes, this expression represents one of the more distinctive cask-influenced American whiskeys currently available from an independent, grain-to-glass distillery.