Oloroso Cask Black Mikkeller Spirits Small Batch 43%

When an imperial stout meets Oloroso sherry casks, the result is something nutty, a little dry, and impossible to place in a conventional category. Mikkeller and Braunstein found that out firsthand.

Expert description

Oloroso Cask Black Mikkeller Spirits Small Batch is a New Make Malt Spirit at 43%, distilled at Braunstein Distillery from Mikkeller Black imperial stout and briefly matured in Oloroso sherry casks. This collaboration pairs Mikkeller's brewing expertise with Braunstein's distillation knowledge. The Oloroso casks contribute rich, nutty notes and a suggestion of dark fruit to the young spirit. The result is an idiosyncratic spirit type that refuses to be called either whisky or beer.

Tasting notes

Nose

Toasted nuts, light dried fruit and pale caramel. The Oloroso cask adds a discreet nuttiness and a faint sherry aroma.

Palate

Soft and lightly nutty with dark raisins, a malty cereal note and a hint of chocolate. The sherry influence is subtle but present.

Finish

Short to medium length with light sherry tones and a dry, nutty close.

Specifications

Name: Oloroso Cask Black Mikkeller Spirits Small Batch
Distillery: Braunstein Distillery
Bottler: Mikkeller Spirits
Region/Country: Denmark
Type: New Make Malt Spirit, finished in Oloroso sherry casks
ABV: 43%
Cask type: Oloroso sherry casks

Flavour profile

Nutty · Sherry-matured · Dried fruit · Lightly sweet · New Make

Did you know?

Oloroso is the driest and nuttiest style within the sherry family. While fino and amontillado are lighter and fresher, Oloroso adds a deeper, more complex sweetness — well-suited to lifting a young, unaged distillate.

See our full range of Mikkeller Spirits

Frequently asked questions about Oloroso Cask Black Mikkeller Spirits

What is a New Make Malt Spirit?

A new make malt spirit is a distillate that has not yet met the requirements for whisky classification — either because the maturation period is too short, or because it does not meet legal whisky definitions. Here it is a malt spirit distilled from Mikkeller Black beer and briefly matured in Oloroso sherry casks.

What does Oloroso sherry cask maturation add?

Oloroso is the driest and nuttiest style in the sherry family. It contributes toasted nuts, dried fruit and a subtle, complex sweetness that elevates the young distillate without masking its malt base.

Is this a whisky?

No. Oloroso Cask Black is a malt spirit, not a whisky. It does not meet the legal requirements for whisky classification in terms of maturation period or production method. It stands as its own category of spirit.

How does this differ from the Rum Cask version?

The Oloroso Cask expression is nuttier and drier, with sherry notes from the Oloroso casks. The Rum Cask version is softer and more tropical with sweetness and banana notes from rum casks. Worth trying both to compare.

Can Oloroso Cask Black be used in cocktails?

Yes. The nutty, lightly sherry-driven character works well in classic serves like an Old Fashioned or a Manhattan-inspired cocktail. See our full Mikkeller Spirits range.

Who produces Mikkeller Spirits?

A collaboration between Danish craft brewery Mikkeller and Braunstein Distillery in Køge. Braunstein handles distillation while Mikkeller provides the brewing expertise and the Mikkeller Black recipe.