In this year’s annual sherry-focused Christmas edition, we’re flexing tradition and sneaking in a couple of delicious, non-sherried but pudding-forward whiskies alongside four epic sherry-driven drams. Sometimes the best presents are the ones you don’t expect! So, unwrap six delightful drams and have a very merry Christmas.
Festive cheers! – The Dram Team
A Very Sherry Whiskymas, December 2025 Box
GreatDrams - Invergordon 20 Year Old
My gosh, what a start! Here at The Dram Team we love well-aged single grain, sherry casks, and indie bottlers, so this is right in our whisky sweet spot. Great Drams sought out an ancient grain spirit for their Rare Cask series for many years, and this ex-sherry matured Invergordon ticked all their boxes as well as ours.
Tasting notes:
Fruity, fudge, and caramel notes with a touch of prune and a hint of vanilla from the ex-sherry cask it was matured in. There’s a whisper of smoke here to tie the winter fruit flavours and caramel aromas together perfectly.
The London Distillery Company - Embarque
The London Distillery Company was recently brought back to life to much excitement, and here they celebrate the capital's historic sherry trade. Finished in first fill Oloroso casks, this is a rich layered whisky which really showcases the transformative power of sherry maturation.
Tasting notes:
Nose: Plump red berries and burnt orange segments give way to cinder toffee, and decadent chocolate, whilst spiced molasses join rose hips and a dusting of cinnamon powder.
Palate: Hedgerow berries sit alongside orange cordial, cocoa nibs and toasted oak. Indulgent fruitcake tempered by baking spices follow.
Finish: Persistent, with warming cinnamon and fading red and black berries.
James Eadie - Linkwood 14 Year Old
Ok, we confess: This is not a sherry cask whisky! But, James Eadie are a indie bottling favourite of The Dram Team, and Linkwood is a distillery favourite too - so we could not resist this tempting release. While there isn't a sherry cask involved, there are still lots of warming fruity, pudding-y notes here, so we're not too far off theme!
Tasting notes:
Nose: Pink Lady apples, pear drops, mint chocolate, cut grass and fresh nectarines.
Palate: Sweet red apples, butterscotch, toffee, with a hint of ground nutmeg and salted caramel.
Finish: Long and succulent, ending on fresh floral notes and pepper.
GreatDrams - Aberfeldy 10 Year Old, Port Cask
We're staying off the sherry piste here, but this time we're still in fortified wine territory...Great Drams call this as "a Highland treasure reimagined through a ruby lens". Why's that? Well, this drop spent a full four years finishing in a first fill port cask which explains both its ruby hue and the stunning notes of berry puddings. Yumptious!
Tasting notes:
Nose: Expect honeyed heather and golden barley on the nose.
Palate: Layers of red berry compote and warm oak spice.
Finish: A silky finish laced with dark fruits and subtle tannins.
James Eadie - Caol Ila 11 Year Old
We make a triumphant return to sherry now, with a James Eadie single cask release from one of Islay's most popular distilleries, finished in a first fill Palo Cortado sherry hogshead. Caol Ila's signature smoky style is enhanced with delicate fruit, refined nutty and subtle fruit influence from the sherry cask.
Tasting notes:
Nose: Burnt bonfire embers, fresh coastal air, tarry ropes and roasted pears.
Palate: Liquorice root, grilled pears, ashy, earthy peat, smoky bacon and brandy snap biscuits.
Finish: Basque cheesecake with a squeeze of lemon juice.
GlenAllachie - 20 Year Old, PX Sherry Hogshead 2005
For our final dream dram, we turn the sherry all the way up to 11 with a bombastic GlenAllachie 20 year old, matured for its full two decades in a Pedro Ximénez sherry hogshead. Exclusive to Master of Malt, this special edition was bottled to celebrate their 40th anniversary. Packed full of flavour, it's the perfect way to celebrate Christmas too. Cheers!
Tasting notes:
Nose: Rich chocolate, spiced orange, honeycomb, and hazelnuts, with muscovado sugar, salted caramel, crystalised ginger, and a touch of tobacco.
Palate: Baking spices and heather honey lead, with mocha, dried plums, and more brown sugar in tow.
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