Glenmorangie Sherry Wood Finish

An early pioneer of cask finishing, this discontinued 1990s bottling highlights Glenmorangie’s successful exploration into secondary maturation techniques.

At-a-Glance

This bottling is a discontinued iteration of Glenmorangie’s early Wood Finish series, launched in the mid-1990s, showcasing the influence of Oloroso sherry casks on the classic Highland spirit.

Historical Context

Glenmorangie is widely recognised as a key innovator in the Scotch industry, particularly for pioneering the use of extra-maturation, or ‘finishing’, in different wine casks. This Sherry Wood Finish expression was a fundamental part of the original Cask Finish series, introduced in the mid-1990s.

The Sherry Wood Finish was noted as the most accessible and traditionally appealing member of this original trio. Although the bottle did not carry a formal age statement, documents and back labels often stated that the underlying spirit was aged for 12 years before being racked into selected sherry butts for its final period of maturation. The entire series was eventually discontinued around 2007, replaced by the current core range finishes. These 1990s and early 2000s bottles are valued as relics of Glenmorangie's innovative historical period.

Technical Specification & Variant Map

The technical specification is consistent across the series. This early Sherry Wood Finish was consistently bottled at 43% ABV. The common sizes available were 70cl for the domestic UK/EU market and 100cl (1 Litre), frequently designated for the travel retail or duty-free sector. The finishing regime involved primary ageing in traditional American oak casks, followed by a period of secondary maturation, or 'finishing,' specifically in Oloroso sherry butts.

Dating relies primarily on the label style. The "Plain Orange Label" and the subsequent "Stripe Label" presentation came out from the mid-1990s into the early 2000s. The liquid itself, despite lacking an official age statement, carried implicit quality assurance via the stated 12-year primary maturation.

Variant Matrix

Packaging & authenticity checklist

This series was typically sold in cardboard tubes, which are prone to cosmetic damage (e.g., wear and rust to the tube). For these discontinued expressions, the primary authenticity check is the label design (Plain Orange or Stripe) and the verification that the bottle is the older 43% ABV iteration, as opposed to later 40% ABV standard range components. Cork and seal integrity should be checked.

Regulatory/terminology notes

The use of the term Sherry Wood Finish denotes a secondary maturation period. The specific type of sherry wood used, Oloroso, is critical as it imparts richer, nuttier, and dried fruit characteristics.

Liquid Profile (from verifiable notes)

The profile is engineered to enhance the light, delicate character of the Glenmorangie base spirit with deep, sweet sherry influences.

Nose: Features aromas of Ripe Apple and Dried Apricots, underpinned by a subtle, warming Spice. The clean fruit notes from the base spirit are seamlessly blended with the dry fruit influence of the Oloroso wood.

Palate: Richly flavored with Dark Chocolate and Roasted Nuts, complemented by a gentle fruit sweetness. This indicates a successful finish where the dry, tannic quality of Oloroso wood meets the inherent sweetness of the Highland malt.

Finish: Dominated by sweet sherry echoes, providing a lingering warmth and complexity.

With water: Not stated by the producer. At 43% ABV, the liquid is highly approachable and generally enjoyed neat or with minimal dilution.

Pricing & Market Dynamics (GBP)

The market for this discontinued expression is driven by connoisseurs seeking to experience Glenmorangie’s seminal cask finishing range. Original RRP (GBP): Not stated by the producer. Current UK retail range (GBP, incl. VAT): Highly illiquid in retail. Listings are scarce and priced based on collector value. Recent UK/EU auction range (GBP, hammer): 70cl bottle sold for GBP 47.50. 12 Year Old (Sherry Wood Finish, 1990s) sold for GBP 100.00.

Price Snapshot

Pricing stratification: There is clear price separation between earlier, high-condition 1990s bottlings (reaching GBP 100+) and later, potentially lower-condition bottles (GBP 45–GBP 50 range). The 100cl variant carries an approximate 25% premium over the 70cl bottle.

Liquidity & sourcing note: Liquidity is moderate and stable, with consistent demand from collectors focusing on historical Scotch evolution and early cask finishing experiments. Velocity is reasonable.

Distillery/Bottler Snapshot

Glenmorangie Distillery is synonymous with excellence in Highland single malt production and is globally recognised for pioneering the art of wood finishing. This release specifically documents the era where the distillery firmly established its reputation for innovative cask management.

Sourcing

Target formats/eras to prefer: Seek confirmed 1990s "Plain Orange" or "Stripe Label" presentations, preferably with the original tube, ensuring the 43% ABV strength. The 100cl travel retail format offers slightly higher scarcity value.

Red flags to avoid: Bottles missing the original outer tube, which is common. Avoid generic labels without clear 1990s characteristics.

Condition thresholds (fill/box/labels): Excellent label condition is expected. For tubular presentations, any major damage should reduce the offered price.

Margin/velocity expectations — qualitative: Moderate margin potential with stable, predictable velocity due to the bottle's discontinued, historical status.