Oloroso sherry is a type of [ingredient=sherry sherry] made in the oxidative style. Once primary fermentation is complete, barrels of Palomino wine are graded by their aroma, delicacy, and fineness. The best barrels go into the [ingredient=fino-sherry Fino] progam. Wines that are considered "lesser" are marked for the Oloroso program.
These barrels are fortified with brandy to 17% alcohol, then aged in the solera system for a long period of time. Without the protective scum of flor, the oxidation process happens, turning the sherry a rich walnut brown color. Some oloroso sherries are sweetened with arrope -- cooked down Pedro Ximinez grape must -- to become "Cream" sherries.
True oloroso sherries are dark in color, very dry, and have a rich, oxidative finish. They smell like dark woods, walnuts, and furniture shops. Their texture is rounded and softer than Finos, and they lack the yeasty, salty notes that are typical of those sherries.
Oloroso sherries are fairly resistant to oxidation. Once opened, they should be consumed within a few months. They are a natural pair with dried fruits, hard cheeses, and wild game.
Some popular cocktails containing Oloroso sherry
- Battering Ram — Bourbon, Oloroso sherry, Bitters, Lemon juice, Ginger syrup, Demerara syrup
- Milkshake 'n Honey — Oloroso sherry, Apple brandy, Scotch, Bitters, Ice cream, Ginger-Honey Syrup, Lemon juice
- La Oficina — Añejo rum, Oloroso sherry, Bitters, Orange bitters, Cinnamon syrup, Orange peel
- Mapplethorpe — Rye, Oloroso sherry, Bitters, Grade B maple syrup
- Learners Permit — Aperol, Oloroso sherry, Orange bitters, Bitters
- 1818 Cocktail — Oloroso sherry, Indian Rum, Sweet vermouth, Bénédictine, Bitters, Orange peel
- Stephen's Cocktail — Oloroso sherry, Dry vermouth, Bénédictine, Lemon peel
- Conjurers & Concubines — Rum, Oloroso sherry, Bénédictine, Allspice Dram, Bitters
- Sketches of Spain — Speyside Scotch, Blended rum, Zucca, Oloroso sherry, Amaro Meletti, Bitters, Orange peel
- Red Ships of Spain — Gin, Calisaya, Oloroso sherry, Grapefruit peel