Thomas S. Moore Sherry Cask 750ML is a Kentucky straight bourbon finished in Oloroso sherry casks, bottled at 49.35% ABV (98.7 proof) in a 750ml bottle. Produced at the historic Barton 1792 Distillery, this expression earned a 4 out of 5 score from The Whiskey Wash, distinguishing itself among finished bourbons through a lengthy secondary maturation that layers dark fruit and nutty richness over a high-rye bourbon base.Quick Facts: ABV: 49.35% (98.7 proof) | Origin: Kentucky, USA | Oloroso Sherry Cask Finish | Distillery: Barton 1792 DistilleryProduction & HeritageBarton 1792 Distillery — notably the last distillery in the United States that still fires its steam boilers with coal — produces the base bourbon using a traditional high-rye mashbill of corn, rye, and malted barley. After initial aging in new charred oak barrels, the whiskey is transferred to Oloroso sherry casks for an extended finishing period that can run anywhere from two to five years. Master Distiller Danny Kahn has noted a preference for finishing younger bourbon, around five years old, because its lighter barrel character allows more grain and fermentation notes to complement the influence of the sherry wood — a philosophy that gives this expression its layered, fruit-forward personality distinct from the brand's other cask-finished releases.Tasting NotesAroma: Ripe figs and dried dark fruit arrive first, followed by toasted nuts and oxidized orange peel. Beneath those top notes, subtle cedar, warm tobacco spice, and a thread of lavender add complexity.Taste: The entry is soft and rounded, with sweet caramel and butterscotch meeting dried berries and caramelized fruit. At mid-palate the high-rye mashbill asserts itself with bright cinnamon and nutmeg, while chocolate and coffee notes emerge as the bourbon's oak backbone comes through. A figgy fruitiness ties the sherry influence together with the grain character.Finish: Medium-long with gentle smokiness, a hint of leather, and lingering roasted chestnut. The sherry sweetness fades gradually, leaving warm spice and dried fruit on the close.How to Drink Thomas S. Moore Sherry CaskAt nearly 100 proof, this bourbon rewards neat pours with a few drops of water to open the sherry-influenced aromatics; it also holds up well over a single large ice cube. Three cocktails where the sherry finish shines: a Manhattan, where the dried fruit and nutty notes harmonize naturally with sweet vermouth; a Boulevardier, where the bourbon's caramelized sweetness balances Campari's bitterness; and an Old Fashioned, where a simple demerara syrup and orange peel accent the existing fig and citrus character without competing with it.Best For Gifting a bourbon enthusiast who appreciates cask-finished expressions After-dinner sipping alongside dessert or a cheese course Exploring side-by-side with the Thomas S. Moore Port or Chardonnay Cask finishes Building a home bar focused on premium finished American whiskeys Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat does Thomas S. Moore Sherry Cask taste like? It leads with sweet caramel, butterscotch, and ripe dark fruit, then transitions into toasted nuts, cinnamon spice, and chocolate. The finish carries gentle smokiness and leather with lingering dried fruit.How does Thomas S. Moore Sherry Cask compare to Joseph Magnus Bourbon? Both are finished bourbons in the same general price tier, but Joseph Magnus uses a blend of bourbon and a secondary finishing in sherry and cognac barrels, producing a more complex layering of influences. Thomas S. Moore focuses exclusively on Oloroso sherry finishing over an extended period, resulting in a more singular, fruit-and-nut-driven profile.Is Thomas S. Moore Sherry Cask good for sipping neat? Yes — its 98.7 proof delivers enough intensity to hold your attention, while the sherry cask finishing rounds out the palate with soft fruit and caramel notes that make it very approachable without water.Where is Thomas S. Moore Sherry Cask made? It is produced at the Barton 1792 Distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky, one of the oldest continuously operating distilleries in the state and the last in the U.S. to fire its steam boilers with coal.What foods pair well with Thomas S. Moore Sherry Cask? Aged Manchego cheese complements the nutty, sherry-driven notes; dark chocolate truffles echo the cocoa and dried berry flavors; fig and walnut tarts mirror the bourbon's fruit-and-nut character; charcuterie with dried fruits and almonds provides textural contrast; and crème brûlée matches the caramelized sweetness on the palate.What sizes does Thomas S. Moore Sherry Cask come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle at 98.7 proof.Is Thomas S. Moore Sherry Cask worth the price? It positions as a mid-premium finished bourbon, competing with other cask-finished expressions in the $60–$90 range. The extended sherry finishing period and near-100-proof bottling strength deliver solid complexity and value within that tier.Why Thomas S. Moore Sherry Cask?What separates this expression from the crowded field of finished bourbons is the duration of its secondary maturation — up to five years in Oloroso sherry casks, significantly longer than many competitors that finish for just a few months. That extended contact produces a deep integration of sherry character rather than a superficial overlay, yielding a bourbon where the fig, nut, and dried fruit notes feel structural, not cosmetic. The Barton 1792 Distillery's high-rye mashbill provides enough spice and backbone to prevent the sherry influence from turning cloying. For drinkers who find port- or wine-finished bourbons too sweet, the Oloroso sherry finish here offers a drier, more savory alternative that still delivers richness.
