Amontillado Sherry substitutes
The closest substitute for Amontillado Sherry is Fino Sherry, which works but the drink will taste a little different. Lighter and more saline. Oloroso Sherry also works.
What to use instead of Amontillado Sherry
| Substitute | How much | Strength | Typical drink |
|---|---|---|---|
Fino SherryWorks, tastes different Lighter and more saline. Same amount | Same amount | 15–17% ABV | −2 points |
Oloroso SherryWorks, tastes different Richer. Same amount | Same amount | 17–22% ABV | +1 point |
Almost the same: most people won’t notice. Works, tastes different: still a good drink, just a different one. Last resort: better than skipping the drink. Typical drink: the usual change in ABV, in percentage points, across the drinks below.
Swap it in your drink
Pick a substitute to see how much to pour in each drink with Amontillado Sherry, how strong the drink ends up and when to adjust the sugar.
- Sherry Cobbler
90ml (3 oz) Amontillado Sherry → 90ml (3 oz) Fino Sherry
About 10% ABV → about 8% ABV−2 points
How they compare
| Property | Amontillado Sherry | Fino Sherry |
|---|---|---|
| Strength | 16–22% ABV | 15–17% ABV |
| Taste | Nutty, Dry, Caramel, Complex | Bone dry, Almond, Salt, Tangy |
| Aroma | Hazelnut, Caramel, Orange peel, Tobacco | Almonds, Bread, Saline, Yeast |
| Finish | Long, Nutty, Dry | Dry, Saline, Clean |
| Property | Amontillado Sherry | Oloroso Sherry |
|---|---|---|
| Strength | 16–22% ABV | 17–22% ABV |
| Taste | Nutty, Dry, Caramel, Complex | Rich, Walnut, Raisin, Complex |
| Aroma | Hazelnut, Caramel, Orange peel, Tobacco | Walnut, Dried fruit, Tobacco, Leather |
| Finish | Long, Nutty, Dry | Long, Dry, Nutty, Warming |
Already have one of these?
If you have Lustau Los Arcos Amontillado, Valdespino Tio Diego or Hidalgo Napoleon Amontillado, you don't need a substitute: they are all Amontillado Sherry.
What is Amontillado Sherry?
Amontillado is sherry that starts as fino under flor, then ages oxidatively, developing amber color and nutty complexity. The 'Poe sherry' of cocktail lore.
Got Amontillado Sherry? It also replaces
Questions about Amontillado Sherry substitutes
What is the best substitute for Amontillado Sherry?
Fino Sherry is the closest substitute for Amontillado Sherry, though the drink will taste a little different. Lighter and more saline. Use the same amount.
What can I use instead of Amontillado Sherry in a Sherry Cobbler?
Fino Sherry: swap 90ml (3 oz) of Amontillado Sherry for 90ml (3 oz) of Fino Sherry. It ends up about 8% ABV instead of about 10%.
Which Amontillado Sherry brands can I use?
If you have Lustau Los Arcos Amontillado, Valdespino Tio Diego or Hidalgo Napoleon Amontillado, you don't need a substitute: they are all Amontillado Sherry. They differ in style and price, not in how you use them.
Does Fino Sherry instead of Amontillado Sherry change how strong the drink is?
It can. The biggest change is in the Sherry Cobbler, which goes from about 10% to about 8% ABV. The swap calculator on this page works it out for every drink.
More fortified wine substitutes
Out of Amontillado Sherry?
Proof knows these swaps. Tell it which bottles you have and it shows the drinks you can still make.