Thirty years average age, and one of the rarest styles in wine. Palo Cortado begins life destined to be a fino, then changes its mind — losing its veil of flor and ageing on into something with the nose of an amontillado and the body of an oloroso. Few bottles at any price offer this much for so little.
A cask of young Palomino is chalk-marked for fino ageing under a veil of flor yeast — the standard first step in Jerez.
The Change
A very small number of casks lose their flor for reasons no one can fully predict. The mark is crossed through — palo cortado, the cut stick.
Oxidative Ageing
From there it ages in contact with air, developing the nose of an amontillado over the body and weight of an oloroso.
Thirty Years
Fractionally blended through a solera until the average age passes thirty, then certified VORS by the Consejo Regulador.
What Sets It Apart
VORS Certified
The highest age grade Jerez awards — 30 years plus
A Rare Style
Palo Cortado is a fraction of all sherry produced
Solera Aged
Fractionally blended across decades, never a vintage
Presentation Boxed
Arrives in its own case — a serious gift, small format
Tasting Profile
Walnut
Dried Fig
Saline
Sweetness
WalnutDried FigOrange PeelToffeeSea Salt
How to Serve It
Lightly Chilled
13–14°C in a copita — never fridge-cold
It Keeps
Oxidative already — good for weeks once opened
Small Pours
Intense and concentrated — 50ml is a full glass
Pairs Well With
Aged Manchego
The definitive Spanish pairing, and unbeatable
Marcona Almonds
Salted nuts against the walnut and toffee
Caviar
A sommelier's pairing — salt meeting saline depth
Jamón Ibérico
Cured fat and nutty oxidation, from the same country
The Finishing Touches
Green Velvet Gift Box
Our signature presentation box, added at checkout.
Hand-Tied Ribbon
Wide cream satin, tied by hand into a full bow.
Signature Gift Bag
Our matching gift bag, so it's ready to hand over on arrival.
Your Message
Add a personal note at checkout — we'll include it with the delivery.
Sending it as a surprise? Enter the recipient's address at checkout and we'll deliver straight to their door, boxed, ribboned and carrying your message — in as little as 30–45 minutes anywhere in London.
How We Deliver
London · 30–45 Minutes
Delivered to your door 24/7, 365 days a year, across Greater London.
UK-Wide Delivery
Express in 1–2 business days, standard in 3–5. Rates shown at checkout.
Tracked & Confirmed
Shipment confirmation with live tracking sent to your email.
Challenge 21
Age verified on delivery — 18+ ID required. Responsible retailing, always.
At a Glance
Origin
Jerez de la Frontera, Spain
Bodega
González Byass, est. 1835
Style
Palo Cortado VORS
Grapes
Palomino with Pedro Ximénez
ABV
20%
Bottle Size
37.5cl
Questions
What is a Palo Cortado?
The rarest of the classic sherry styles. A cask marked for fino ageing loses its protective veil of flor yeast unexpectedly and is re-marked — palo cortado, "cut stick". It then ages oxidatively, ending up with the delicate aromatics of an amontillado and the weight of an oloroso. Nobody has ever been able to make it happen on demand.
Is it sweet?
Barely. There is a small proportion of Pedro Ximénez in the blend to round the finish, but the wine reads as dry — nutty, saline and savoury rather than sugary. If your idea of sherry is a sweet cream sherry, this will surprise you.
Why is the bottle only 37.5cl?
Standard for VORS sherries. The wines are so concentrated that a half-bottle is a generous amount, and it lets the bodega release much older stock at an accessible price. Pound for pound, thirty-year-old wine at this price is one of the best values in the drinks world.
Who is this a good gift for?
A wine lover who thinks they have tried everything, or anyone who has been to Jerez. It is a genuinely impressive bottle — thirty years of age, in its own box — that costs a fraction of what equivalent age would cost in any other category.
Can you deliver it directly to the person I'm gifting?
Yes — enter their address at checkout and add your message. In London it can be at their door within 30–45 minutes, any hour of the day. The recipient must be 18+ with ID for our Challenge 21 check.
Why Buy From Drinks House 247
✔ 100% authentic stock✔ 4.8★ Google · 223 reviews✔ Gift-boxed and ribboned✔ Open 24/7, 365 days✔ London's 24-hour spirits house, based in Battersea
18+ Please enjoy Apóstoles responsibly. For guidance and support, visit drinkaware.co.uk.
