From Sparrow’s Scotch and whisky list, the Shibuie 15 year Sherry Cask is a rare, sherry-rich Japanese rice whisky aged 15 years ($50 by the pour, or $75 for a larger pour).
About Shibuie 15 year Sherry Cask
This is part of the Shibui range of sourced Japanese whiskies, a brand that finds and bottles standout barrels rather than running its own still. What sets this expression apart is its grain bill. As the menu describes, it is built from a mash bill of premium Indica and long-grain rice, fermented with native Japanese yeasts and aged in the subtropical warmth of Okinawa. It is then matured in first-fill Fino and Manzanilla sherry casks, which lend dry, nutty richness on top of the rice-derived character. It carries a 15-year age statement.
Tasting Notes
The menu says it best: rich, complex, and smooth as glass. The first-fill Fino and Manzanilla sherry casks bring dry, savory depth and a nutty edge, while the rice base gives it a soft, almost silky texture. This is a layered, slow-sipping whisky for someone who wants something off the beaten path.
What to Pair It With
Pour it neat in a tulip glass and give it time to open. From the Sparrow dinner menu, it is lovely after a meal of American Wagyu steak or the Sparrow-Smoked Rack, or simply on its own as a digestif. It is a special-occasion pour for our 21+ lounge after dinner.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Shibuie 15 year Sherry Cask made from?
It is a Japanese rice whisky built from a mash bill of premium Indica and long-grain rice, fermented with native Japanese yeasts, aged in Okinawa, and matured in first-fill Fino and Manzanilla sherry casks.
How much is a pour of the Shibuie 15 year Sherry Cask at Sparrow?
At Sparrow in Kirkland, the Shibuie 15 year Sherry Cask is $50 by the pour, or $75 for a larger pour.
Find it on the Sparrow beverages menu near the Shibui Pure Malt and Takamine 8. We are in Kirkland’s Juanita neighborhood on the Eastside, so reserve a table and come taste it.