Taylor Cream Sherry

Taylor Cream Sherry is an American cream sherry-style wine produced in New York's Finger Lakes region, bottled at 17% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Awarded 90 points by Wine Enthusiast and a Gold Medal at the San Francisco International Wine Competition, this expression has earned recognition well beyond its modest price tier.

Quick Facts: ABV: 17%  |  Origin: Finger Lakes, New York, USA  |  Style: Cream Sherry  |  Producer: Taylor Wine Company

Production & Heritage

The Taylor Wine Company was founded in 1880 in the Finger Lakes region of upstate New York, one of America's oldest and most established winemaking areas. Taylor Cream Sherry is produced using carefully fermented grapes sourced from the Finger Lakes appellation, then aged in oak barrels through a meticulous blending process. Unlike traditional Spanish sherry made under the solera system in Jerez, this American interpretation draws its character from New York-grown grapes and oak maturation, resulting in a distinctly New World take on the cream sherry style.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Deep amber in the glass, the nose opens with pronounced toffee and burned caramel. Toasted walnuts and a warm, cookie-like baked sweetness emerge underneath, giving the impression of a nut-based dessert.

Taste: The entry is lush and immediately sweet, with toffee and caramel dominating the front palate. At mid-palate, roasted walnut and a toasty cookie quality develop, adding depth and preventing the sweetness from becoming one-dimensional. A faint nuttiness ties the caramel notes together through the peak.

Finish: The finish is medium in length with a warm, slightly viscous texture. Lingering impressions of toasted nuts and brown sugar slowly fade, leaving a clean sweetness.

How to Drink Taylor Cream Sherry

Serve chilled or slightly below room temperature in a small wine glass or copita. On its own, it works well as a dessert course replacement or an after-dinner sipper over a single ice cube. In a Sherry Cobbler, the toffee sweetness pairs beautifully with fresh citrus and crushed ice. A Sherry Flip benefits from the wine's creamy body and caramel depth when shaken with a whole egg and nutmeg. For a simple aperitif-style drink, a Sherry and Tonic stretches the nutty, sweet character into a longer, more refreshing serve.

Best For

• An approachable introduction to sherry-style wines for curious drinkers
• After-dinner sipping alongside dessert or cheese courses
• Holiday entertaining where a versatile, crowd-friendly wine is needed
• Cooking applications such as glazes, cream sauces, and dessert reductions

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Taylor Cream Sherry taste like? Taylor Cream Sherry is a rich, sweet wine dominated by toffee, burned caramel, and toasted walnut flavors. A toasty, cookie-like quality rounds out the profile, making it dessert-like in character.

How does Taylor Cream Sherry compare to Harvey's Bristol Cream? Harvey's Bristol Cream is an authentic Spanish sherry produced in Jerez using the solera system, giving it a drier backbone beneath its sweetness. Taylor Cream Sherry, made from Finger Lakes grapes and aged in oak, tends to be more straightforwardly sweet with a pronounced toffee-and-nut character and less of the oxidative complexity found in true Jerez sherry.

Is Taylor Cream Sherry good for sipping neat? Yes — its smooth, sweet profile and moderate 17% ABV make it easy to enjoy on its own, especially when lightly chilled. It functions well as a standalone dessert wine or nightcap.

Where is Taylor Cream Sherry made? Taylor Cream Sherry is made by the Taylor Wine Company in the Finger Lakes region of upstate New York. The company has been producing wines in this area since its founding in 1880.

What foods pair well with Taylor Cream Sherry? Aged cheddar or blue cheese complements its nutty sweetness. Pecan pie and crème brûlée mirror the toffee and caramel notes. Dark chocolate intensifies the toasted flavors. Roasted almonds echo the walnut character, and baked apples with cinnamon align well with its warm, spiced undertones.

What sizes does Taylor Cream Sherry come in? Taylor Cream Sherry is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle and is also commonly found in a 1.5L format.

Is Taylor Cream Sherry worth the price? Taylor Cream Sherry positions firmly in the value tier of sherry-style wines, making it one of the most affordable options in its category. Its 90-point Wine Enthusiast rating and San Francisco International Wine Competition Gold Medal suggest quality that significantly outperforms its price point.

Why Taylor Cream Sherry?

A 90-point score from Wine Enthusiast and Gold Medal recognition from the San Francisco International Wine Competition place Taylor Cream Sherry among the most critically validated wines at its price level. The Taylor Wine Company's roots stretch back to 1880, making it one of the longest-standing wine producers in the Finger Lakes — a pedigree that shows in the consistency of this blend. Its distinctly American approach to cream sherry, built on Finger Lakes grapes and oak aging rather than the Spanish solera method, gives it a personality that stands apart from European imports. For anyone seeking a rich, sweet, and immediately approachable sherry-style wine with genuine critical credentials, this remains a benchmark in the value category.