Origin
Fino is the lightest of the sherries. It is very dry and may contain no more than 5 grams of residual sugar per litre. Its alcohol content is 15-17% by volume. "Fino" means "the fine one" or "the refined one", because the wine is treated with brandy.
Production and post-treatment
The first special feature of Fino is that the grapes are not crushed by pressure, but are pressed under their own weight. The rest of the grapes are then pressed and the juice thus obtained is used in other wines.
Also, especially with fino: The barrel is not filled to the brim so that the Fino can develop a proper layer of pile, which provides the fresh and dry taste.
Effect on the taste
Maturing in a fino sherry cask usually results in a very dry whisky. However, floral and other fine fruit notes are often added.
Effect on the colour
As the Fino is a light-coloured wine, the colour effect on the whisky is very slight. Most of the colour comes from the wood of the cask.
Whisky examples
There are only a few fino finishes on the market, as this sherry is considered too dry by most whisky connoisseurs. This can be mitigated, for example, by double maturing and using other sherry casks in addition to the fino.
