Heaven's Door 'Refuge' Rye Whiskey Finished in Sherry Casks
Heaven's Door 'Refuge' Rye Whiskey Finished in Sherry Casks (750mL, 92 proof / 46% ABV) takes the brand's own 100% rye straight whiskey — aged six to eight years — and finishes it in sherry casks, a move more common in Scotch than American rye. Dried fruit and sherry sweetness layer over rye's peppery spine, with leather, nutmeg, and tobacco underneath. Order it online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
- ABV: 46% (92 proof) — 750mL
- Mash bill: 100% rye
- Aging & finish: 6–8 years in oak, then finished up to ~6 months in sherry casks (Amontillado, per trade retailers)
- Origin: Heaven's Door Distillery, Pleasureville, Kentucky (brand founded by Bob Dylan)
- Recognition: Double Gold, 2024 San Francisco World Spirits Competition (trade-reported); "Highest Recommendation," F. Paul Pacult
Sherry Meets 100% Rye
Sherry-cask finishing is a Scotch-world staple that few American ryes attempt — the rye's spice and the cask's dried-fruit sweetness pull in opposite directions, and Refuge is where the brand lets them meet. The result reads like a rye with a dessert course built in: dark fruit, honey, and caramel over the grain's peppery backbone, finished with that dry, nutty Amontillado edge. Browse Heaven's Door or explore rye whiskey.
Tasting Notes
Rich and complex on the nose — dark fruit, oak, and spice with a layer of sherry sweetness; the palate balances rye spiciness against dried fruit, honey, caramel, and vanilla, with leather, nutmeg, and tobacco; a long, spice-tinged finish of citrus brightness, chewy caramel, clove, and a distinctive wintergreen echo (per the brand and trade reviews).
How to Enjoy
Sip neat to follow the sherry finish end to end; a drop of water opens the dried-fruit notes. It also builds a sherry-influenced Manhattan or a Sazerac with real character.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of sherry casks finish Heaven's Door Refuge?
The brand specifies sherry casks, finished up to about six months; trade retailers identify them as Amontillado casks from Spain.
Is Refuge a 100% rye whiskey?
Yes — a straight rye with a 100% rye mash bill, aged 6–8 years before finishing.
What proof is Heaven's Door Refuge?
92 proof (46% ABV).
Refuge for the rye drinker who wants more — order Heaven's Door 'Refuge' online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.