Garrison Brothers Ranch Reserve Oloroso Sherry Cask

Ranch Reserve Oloroso Sherry Cask is a Texas bourbon from Garrison Brothers Distillery, and the name tells you how it was finished: Oloroso sherry cask influence. The proof, age and production details haven't been verified, so none are stated here. Oloroso is the oxidatively aged, nutty style of sherry. Bourbon that has spent time in those casks usually shows its sherry influence as dried fruit, walnut and toffee layered over the vanilla, caramel and toasted oak of a standard bourbon profile. Expect a rounder, slightly richer sweetness than an all-new-charred-oak bourbon, with the fruit leaning toward raisin and fig rather than fresh citrus. Those are category expectations for sherry-finished bourbon, not a measured profile of this bottling. Because the proof isn't confirmed, taste it neat first and let the whiskey tell you how it wants to be served. Pour a small measure into a Glencairn glass and give it a minute before nosing, since the tapered bowl gathers the sherry-driven aromas that a wide tumbler lets escape. If it turns out to be high in proof, a few drops of room-temperature water will loosen the alcohol and bring the dried fruit and oak forward. A single large cube in a rocks glass works if you prefer a slower, cooler pour, but keep the ice big. Small cubes dilute fast and flatten the nutty, sherried character that is the point of this release. Texas bourbon is often bold on oak and sweetness, and the sherry influence suggests this will hold its shape in stirred drinks. An Old Fashioned is the clearest fit: a sugar cube or a small measure of demerara syrup, two dashes of Angostura and an orange peel will play off the dried-fruit notes without covering them. A Manhattan is another good use, with sweet vermouth and a dash of orange or aromatic bitters, and the sherry-cask richness suits a Spanish-style vermouth especially well. Because this is a limited release, use it where the whiskey is the main ingredient. A Whiskey Sour or a long Highball with soda would dilute what you're paying for, so save those for a standard-proof everyday bourbon. For food, think of what sherry itself goes with: roasted almonds, aged Manchego, dark chocolate, or a slice of pecan pie. Smoked brisket or ribs suit a Texas bourbon, and the sweetness of the whiskey answers a peppery bark well.