Sandeman | Jerez

The House of Sandeman was founded in London in 1790 by George Sandeman, a young Scot from Perth. Specialising in wines from Porto and Jerez, Sandeman was the first company to brand its name on a cask with a hot iron in 1805 and was one of the first to label and advertise its wines. The ‘Sandeman Don’ is one of the world’s first ever brand images, painted in 1928 by George Massiot Brown. The cape was modelled on the attire worn by university students in Porto, while the wide-brimmed hat was a nod to the family’s presence in Jerez.

Although the brand is primarily associated with Port wines, they have been fully committed to Sherry since George Sandeman first set up an office in Cádiz in 1809. Today, Sandeman concentrates its efforts in Jerez on the production of a handful of premium-quality old solera sherries which have become known as masterpieces of the style. 

The ‘Don’ Fino is an exceptionally delicate Sherry. It is light, fresh and tangy on the palate, after ageing under flor for a minimum of five years. The ‘Armada’ Rich Cream Oloroso, by contrast, spends more than ten years ageing oxidatively in the solera system. It is a full-bodied Sherry with a very smooth and long velvety finish. The ‘Character’ Medium Dry Amontillado is harmonious on the palate, with a touch of sweetness giving way to nutty complexity and a long clean finish. The ‘Royal Ambrosante’ is a sumptuous 20-year-old Pedro Ximénez drawn from an ancient solera established in 1894. Finally, the Imperial Brandy is gold in colour and has complex aromas of oak and vanilla. The palate is well balanced, round and full bodied, it marries the rich lingering flavours of Sherry with the finesse of fine Brandy.