I recently finally got my hands on a bottle of the old line american single malt double oak series sherry cask, and I have to say, it's a pretty interesting departure from the usual bourbon-heavy rotation I've been stuck in lately. If you haven't been paying attention to the American Single Malt (ASM) scene, you're honestly missing out on some of the most creative stuff happening in the spirits world right now. While everyone is fighting over allocated Buffalo Trace products, distilleries like Old Line are quietly putting out whiskey that has a lot more character and a much better story to tell.
Old Line Spirits is based out of Baltimore, Maryland, and they've been making a name for themselves by leaning hard into the "American Single Malt" category. This isn't Scotch, and it isn't bourbon—it's something that sits right in the middle, taking the malted barley traditions of the UK and giving them a big, bold, American oak personality. This specific bottle, the old line american single malt double oak series sherry cask, takes that concept a step further by playing with a finishing process that adds layers of complexity you don't usually find in a younger American whiskey.
What Exactly is the Double Oak Series?
The "Double Oak" part of the name isn't just marketing fluff; it actually tells you exactly how the whiskey was built. Most American Single Malts are aged in new charred oak barrels, which is a major difference from Scotch (which usually uses second-hand bourbon or sherry casks). Because Old Line uses those fresh, virgin oak barrels for the initial aging, you get a lot of those vanilla and caramel notes that bourbon drinkers love.
But with the old line american single malt double oak series sherry cask, they don't stop there. After the whiskey has picked up all that robust character from the new oak, they transfer it into Oloroso sherry casks for a finishing period. This is where the "Double Oak" magic happens. You're essentially layering flavors—starting with the sweet, oaky foundation and finishing with the dark, nutty, dried fruit vibes that only a good sherry cask can provide. It's a bit like putting a velvet coat over a leather jacket; it just adds a whole different level of texture.
The Baltimore Influence
I think it's worth mentioning where this stuff comes from because the environment matters. Baltimore isn't exactly the first place people think of when they talk about whiskey—usually, it's Kentucky or Tennessee—but Maryland has a massive distilling history, especially with rye. Old Line is carrying that torch but doing it with malt.
The founders, Mark and Arch, are both former Navy aviators, and they've got this very precise, almost engineering-focused approach to how they distill. They aren't just guessing; they're looking at how the humidity of the Chesapeake Bay area affects the aging process. The temperature swings in Maryland are no joke, and that causes the whiskey to move in and out of the wood quite a bit, which usually speeds up the maturation process. That's probably why even their younger expressions feel a lot "older" and more developed than you'd expect.
Tasting the Old Line American Single Malt Double Oak Sherry Cask
When you pour a glass of the old line american single malt double oak series sherry cask, the first thing you notice is the color. It's got this deep, mahogany hue that screams "I spent some time in a wine barrel." It's much darker than their standard flagship malt.
On the Nose
The smell is honestly my favorite part. Right away, you get that classic Oloroso sherry punch. We're talking golden raisins, dried figs, and maybe a little bit of dark chocolate. But because it started in new charred oak, there's also this underlying scent of toasted marshmallow and brown sugar. It doesn't smell thin or medicinal at all; it smells rich, like a dessert you'd find at a high-end steakhouse.
The Palate
The first sip is surprisingly bold. It's usually bottled at a higher proof than your average entry-level malt, so it has some kick. The malted barley gives it a bready, cereal-like base, but then the sherry takes over. I get a lot of walnut and black cherry notes. It's not overly sweet, though. Sometimes sherry-finished whiskeys can taste a bit like syrup, but this one keeps its "whiskey" identity. The tannins from the new oak provide a nice structural bitterness that balances out the fruity sherry influence.
The Finish
The finish hangs around for a while. It's warm and spicy—think cinnamon and clove—with a lingering hint of leather and old wood. It dries out the mouth just enough to make you want another sip. If you're a fan of Highland Park or maybe a sherried Macallan but you want something with more "oomph" and a bit more of an American bite, this hits the spot.
How to Drink It
I've tried the old line american single malt double oak series sherry cask a few different ways, and I have some thoughts. If you're a purist, drink it neat. It's complex enough that you don't really need to do anything to it. However, because it's a bit higher in proof, a tiny splash of water—I'm talking like three drops—really opens it up. It tames the heat and lets those floral and fruity notes from the sherry cask step into the spotlight.
I wouldn't use this in a cocktail where it's going to get buried, like a Whiskey Sour. That feels like a waste of the double aging process. But, if you're making a Manhattan and you use a really high-quality sweet vermouth, this whiskey can hold its own and create a very "dark and moody" drink that's perfect for a cold winter night.
Why American Single Malt Matters Right Now
There is a big push right now to officially define "American Single Malt" in the legal world. For the longest time, it was kind of a Wild West. But distilleries like Old Line have been at the forefront of setting the standard. They use 100% malted barley, and they distill and age it right here in the States.
The old line american single malt double oak series sherry cask is a perfect example of why this category is so exciting. It doesn't feel like a Scotch knock-off. It feels like its own thing. It has that "bigger is better" American attitude when it comes to flavor profile, but it uses the sophisticated finishing techniques that have made Scotch world-famous for centuries. It's the best of both worlds, really.
Final Thoughts
Look, I know there are a lot of bottles on the shelf these days, and it's easy to just grab what you know. But if you're looking to branch out, the old line american single malt double oak series sherry cask is a solid investment. It's a "conversation" bottle—the kind of thing you pour for a friend who thinks they only like bourbon, just to watch their brain try to process what's happening.
It's bold, it's a little bit rustic, but it has this refined sherry finish that makes it feel special. Whether you're a seasoned collector or just someone who wants a better-than-average bottle for the weekend, Old Line is doing things the right way. They aren't taking shortcuts, and you can taste that in the glass. Plus, it's just cool to support a smaller distillery that's actually making its own juice rather than just bottling stuff they bought from a factory in Indiana. Next time you're at the liquor store, keep an eye out for that double oak label—it's worth the hunt.