Discover our most
exclusive Sherry Casks

September, 2021
If you are a lover of brandy you have surely heard of the famous Sherry Casks or Jerez barrels; but do you know what they are, what they are used for and why they are so special? Keep reading this article and discover everything you need to know about the most acclaimed Sherry Casks in the world.What does Sherry Cask mean?

What does Sherry Cask mean?

Sherry Casks, also known as Jerez boots, are a fundamental part of the aging process for many spirits, mainly the famous Brandy de Jerez.  These casks, used by all the wineries that are part of the Jerez-Xérès-Sherry Designation of Origin, have previously contained one of the Jerez wines: Fino, Amontillado, Oloroso or Pedro Ximénez. Depending on the type of wine they have held, they will impart different characteristics to the aging liquid, resulting in a product with its own unique personality.

What are Sherry Casks like?

These barrels are made with American oak wood and have a capacity of 500 liters. Their special characteristics make them the most suitable for carrying out the aging process of brandy and other spirits, as the porosity of this type of wood is perfect to withstand the passage of time and absorb the best nuances of the wine they contain. One of the qualities that distinguishes our Sherry Casks from the rest is that, in addition to being located in the oldest winery in the Marco de Jerez, it is the oldest collection of barrels in the region, in which age, among other liquids, the three expressions of Fundador Supremo in barrels that have contained Pedro Ximénez of 12 years, Amontillado of 15 years and Oloroso of 18 years, respectively.

.

What are the Sherry Casks used for?

The Sherry Casks are used for the aging of Brandy de Jerez and other beverages, but what is so special about aging in these barrels? The Jerez barrels, as their name suggests, are impregnated with Jerez wines before being used for the aging of other liquids, providing the best nuances of the wood for subsequent maturations. In this process, the inner layer of the barrels is soaked with the attributes of each wine, penetrating the interior of the oak and giving it characteristics particular to each type of barrel; that is, the type of wine that the Sherry Cask has, will provide different sensory qualities to the liquid that it will subsequently contain. In addition, time is key, as the longer this contact is, the more intense the transfer of components to the wood will be. The Sherry Casks give the brandy they contain a sweet taste and a smoothness that are very special and characteristic. Aging in our collection of Sherry Casks, barrels to which very few liquids in the world have access, gives exclusivity to our products.

Discover the most exclusive Sherry Casks

The Brandy de Jerez is made exclusively in the Jerez area, (municipalities of Jerez de la Frontera, El Puerto de Santa María and Sanlúcar de Barrameda) and, as explained above, ages in Sherry Casks, which sets it apart from other brandies, both national and international. Our winery, Bodegas Fundador, is the oldest in Jerez -founded in 1730-, and it is there where the first Spanish brandy, Fundador, was born. At Bodegas Fundador we have one of the largest collections of Jerez barrels, which, together with the experience and tradition that characterizes us, makes our Sherry Casks the most acclaimed. Since 1874 we have combined wisdom in the aging of brandy and know-how of what, for us, is an art, and it is the centuries of experience and knowledge distilling brandy that has led us to achieve excellence. It should be remembered that it is in them that Fundador Supremo 18, a Prestige brandy aged in barrels that have contained 18-year-old Oloroso, was awarded as the Best Brandy in the World 2019. Expert tasters from different backgrounds awarded us the highest award in the prestigious competition International Wine & Spirits Competition, to which more than 100 brandies are presented each year.

Surprised? If you want to know more about the world of Sherry Casks, aging of brandy in Sherry Casks.

Sources used and linked in this article Sherry Wines. Sherry Wines – The most versatile wines in the world. Available at: https://www.sherry.wine/es/vinos-de-jerez. Accessed on July 29. Sherry Wines. Sherry Wines. The wine seasoning. Available at: https://www.sherry.wine/es/sherry-cask/el-envinado. Accessed on July 29. Sherry Wines. The effect of wine on wood. Available at: https://www.brandydejerez.es/nuestra-filosofia/brandy-de-jerez-faq.