FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Solera Cask is a family-run business based in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain — the heart of Sherry country. With years of experience as wine importers and exporters, we bring a deep understanding of Sherry and Spanish tradition to every barrel we source. We specialize in supplying distillers and brewers with ex-sherry casks from historic solera systems across Jerez de la Frontera, El Puerto de Santa María, and Sanlúcar de Barrameda. Our close relationships with local bodegas and cooperages ensure genuine provenance, exceptional quality, and exclusive access to history-rich barrels.

DO-certified casks are brand-new American Oak barrels seasoned for one to two years with Sherry and certified by the Consejo Regulador of Jerez-Xérès-Sherry, this option caters more specifically to large volume producers who need yearly predetermined quantities of barrels with a DO seal.

Historic solera casks, on the other hand, are genuine ex-sherry barrels sourced from solera systems of varying age within the sherry triangle. Having matured sherry for decades, the oak in these casks has already released most of its tannins, allowing the spirit to absorb the purest expression of sherry character without the harshness of new wood. Each cask carries the depth, complexity, and soul of Jerez — offering distillers a rare opportunity to craft spirits with exceptional smoothness and layered nuance born from time itself.

Both options ensure true Spanish provenance: DO-certified casks deliver commercial consistency and control, while historic solera casks provide unmatched richness, maturity, and authenticity.

We welcome producers of all sizes, from small craft distilleries and breweries to large commercial operations. There's no minimum order requirement, though full container shipments (50 x 225L barrels) offer the best economies. We understand that small producers often need guidance and flexibility, which is why our consultation service is especially valuable for craft operations looking to create unique, premium expressions.

We also understand that you may want to test a smaller number of barrels before committing to a larger order. Once you're confident in the direction your team wants to take, we encourage entering a multi-year contract to ensure you always have the barrels you need for each production year.

Our consultation includes personalized recommendations based on your goals. We are available for follow-up questions and program optimization as your business grows.

While Solera Cask is a young company, our expertise comes from years of experience in the wine industry. Our team has deep relationships with bodegas and cooperages that have been operating for centuries. We leverage this heritage and these established partnerships to source the finest sherry barrels for distillers and brewers worldwide.

We offer 225L hogsheads and 500L butts, which are traditional sherry barrel sizes. Upon special request we can also offer 700L bocoys.

Each shipment includes certificates of origin and barrel specifications, DO certification (for certified casks). For historic casks, we provide provenance documentation including the original bodega and solera system information (when available and authorized by the bodega).

Yes, we accommodate mixed orders with different sherry barrel types and sizes. This is ideal for producers wanting to experiment with various flavor profiles or create blended expressions. We can arrange container shipping with multiple cask types, allowing you to explore the full range of sherry influences in your products. Mixed orders are particularly popular with craft producers developing diverse product portfolios.

Traditional sherry barrels are made from American oak (Quercus alba), prized for its tight grain, durability, and ability to impart subtle sweetness and roundness without overpowering the wine. American oak allows gentle oxidation and long-term aging, essential to developing sherry's complex character. While European oak was historically used, the bodegas of Jerez have favored American oak since the middle of the 16th century due to its balance of strength, workability, and the unique flavor profile it helps create. All the barrels we provide are American Oak.

At our in-house cooperage the barrels undergo strict quality control, we perform organoleptic tests to detect any possible unwanted aromas as well as pressure tests to ensure the barrels have no leaks, weak points, or imperfections.

We offer our barrels under Ex-Works incoterms, however if you prefer that we manage shipment to your facility via our logistics partner, we can ship globally via land and sea from Jerez de la Frontera, Spain. For optimal cost efficiency we suggest full container loads (20-foot containers holding 50 x 225L barrels). We also accommodate partial container shipments, LCL (Less than Container Load), and mixed orders. We arrange the shipment from our facility through our trusted international logistics partners under DAP incoterms. Please fill out our quote form at the bottom of the page for an estimate.

Alternatively, if you prefer to arrange your own shipping solution, we can provide any necessary information to your logistics partner.

Barrels are carefully packaged with protective materials and palletized on phytosanitary certified wooden pallets. Every barrel is shipped with a small amount of Sherry wine, corresponding to its type, from our selected soleras. This is done to ensure that the wood maintains its proper moisture levels and that the barrel arrives in optimal condition.