Osborne Sherry Manzanilla Fina

Osborne is one of the best known brands of Spanish spirits producers. Who doesn’t know their iconic logo and the silhouettes of black bulls that are spread over the Spanish countryside?

Founded in 1772 by the young English entrepreneur Thomas Osborne Mann, it is one of the oldest firms of wine and spirits in Spain. Osborne produces sherry but they’re also known for port wines, local wines, brandy, liqueurs, as well as olive oil and ham. Their range is so wide that most people may not associate Osborne with sherry right away. The Osborne headquarters are in El Puerto de Santa María. I couldn’t figure out whether they also have premises in Sanlúcar or whether they buy this Manzanilla from an external partner (I suspect the latter).

This Manzanilla Fina is said to be 3 to 4 years old. The addition Finaindicates a young Manzanilla (in contrast to a Manzanilla Pasada). Nowadays the Manzanilla Fina is the standard type on the market (people prefer light, aperitif-style wines) but this used to be different some decades ago. Osborne commercializes another Manzanilla Fina, the Manzanilla Fina Cara de Gallo, but as far as I know, they don’t have older Manzanilla.