Whisky is a spirit with a vast array of flavour profiles. From smoky and peaty Islay whiskies to the more delicate and fruity Speyside drams, there is something for every palette. In this article, we will take a look at the various flavours and aromas of whisky. So, grab a glass and let’s dive into the world of whisky flavours!
The flavour wheel
The whisky flavour wheel is a tool used to help whisky enthusiasts and professionals identify the various flavour notes and aromas found in whisky. There’s a bunch of different ones out there. The one we use at Distilld is divided into six main categories – Fruity, Woody, Spicy, Malty, Peaty and Fresh – and each category is further divided into sub-categories that are specific to the flavours and aromas found in whisky. The wheel can be used to compare different whiskies and to identify similarities, differences, and unique characteristics.
Fresh flavour profile
The Fresh category often fits whiskies providing a refreshing and bright flavour to the whisky. The whisky flavour wheel is composed of the sub categories floral and vegetative.
Discover fresh flavoured whiskies here or check out our list on fresh whisky recommendations .
Vegative
In the vegetative category you can find notes of earth, must, mineral, funk, moss, chalk, sulphur, spent matches and cabbage. This is of course just a selection of the flavours.
Are you curious in a vegetative type of whisky. Try the Port Charlotte .
Floral
In the floral category the most mentioned notes on Distild are of apple, pear, mint, herbs, grass, menthol, heather, lavender and fennel.
For this taste category we can recommend the Hibiki Harmony or the Glenmorangie The Original 10 year old .
Woody flavour profile
The woody category on the flavour wheel is made up of vanilla and wood flavours. These types of whiskies often provide a rich and complex flavour to the whisky.
Discover woody flavoured whiskies here .
Wood
In the wood category you can find a variety of notes, including oak, hay, char, pine, charred oak, light oak, toasted oak, cedar, sawdust, sweet oak, and sandalwood. This is just a small selection of the range of woody flavours that are available to explore.
You may have noticed that many of the wood flavours are related to oak, as whisky is usually aged in oak wood barrels. Additionally, the inside of these barrels is often charred or “toasted”, which helps to filter out undesirable compounds, specifically sulphur.
Are you curious in a wood type of whisky. Try the Balvenie 12 years Double Wood .
Vanilla
Vanilla is one of the most common flavour notes found in whisky. It is generally described as having a creamy sweetness with a subtle hint of spice. The vanilla flavour is often the result of the whisky being aged in oak barrels, which can impart a variety of flavours including vanilla.
On Distilld, the most frequently discussed vanilla notes are sweet, caramel, cream, corn, coconut, cake, marzipan, fudge, and custard.
For this taste category we can recommend the Larceny Small Batch Bourbon .
Spicy flavour profile
The spicy category on the flavour wheel is made up of oily and spice flavours. These types of whiskies often provide a bold and fiery flavour to the whisky.
Discover spicy flavoured whiskies here .
Spice
In the spice category you can find a variety of notes, including cinnamon, pepper, leather, ginger, tobacco, nutmeg, chili, orange peel, baking spice, anise, cardamom and saffron. This is just a small selection of the range of spicy flavours that are available to explore.
An interesting fact about whiskies with a spicy flavour profile is that they often derive their spicy notes from the use of rye grain in the mash bill, which contains more spicy and peppery flavours compared to other grains like corn or barley. This is why rye whiskies are often associated with spicy flavours, and why they are sometimes called “spicy rye whiskies.”
Are you curious in a spice type of whisky. Try the Four Roses Small Batch .
Oily
Oily whiskies often have a higher concentration of fatty acids, which can contribute to a richer mouthfeel and a distinct oily or creamy texture on the palate. Whiskies with an oily can be particularly appealing to those who enjoy a full-bodied whisky drinking experience.
On Distilld, the most frequently discussed oily notes are butter, linseed and cooking oil.
For this taste category we can recommend the Redbreast 12 years Cask Strength .
Fruity flavour profile
The fruity category on the flavour wheel consists of sweet and fruity flavours.
Discover fruity flavoured whiskies here .
Sweet
Sweet whiskies are characterized by a noticeable sugary flavour profile that can range from caramel and toffee to honey and maple syrup. These whiskies are often preferred by those who enjoy a smoother, mellow taste. Sweet whiskies are typically produced by using grains that have a higher sugar content, such as corn or wheat, and are often aged in barrels that previously held sweet wines, sherry, or rum.
Some popular examples of sweet whiskies include Glendronach 12 years Original , Buffalo Trace Bourbon and Glenmorangie Nectar D’Or .
Dried fruit
Dried fruit flavoured whiskies often have notes of raisins, prunes, figs, and dates, which can add a rich, sweet, and sometimes slightly tangy flavour to the spirit. The dried fruit flavour can come from the grains used in the mash bill or from the aging process in barrels that previously held fortified wines like sherry or port.
Some examples of dried fruit flavoured whiskies include Lagavulin 16 years Distiller’s edition , Macallan 18 years The Sherry Oak and Laphroaig PX Cask .
Peaty flavour profile
A peaty whisky is a type of whisky that is characterized by its smoky and medicinal flavour profile, which is derived from the use of peat during the malting process. Peat is a type of soil that is rich in decomposing organic matter, such as vegetation and moss, and is commonly found in areas such as Scotland and Ireland.
Discover peaty flavoured whiskies here .
Smoky
The signature smoky flavour comes from the use of peat, a soil rich in decomposing organic matter that is burned to dry the malted barley during the production process. This process infuses the whisky with a unique aroma and taste that can range from subtle hints of smoke to an intense, full-bodied smoky flavour. In smoky whiskies you can find flavours of ash, peat smoke, earthy peat, tar, bonfires, smoked salmon, peat reek and kipper.
Some popular examples of smoky whiskies include: Ardberg 10 years and Laphroaig 10 years .
Medicinal
These whiskies are often associated with coastal regions and islands, particularly in Scotland, where the rugged landscape and harsh climate have influenced the flavor profiles of the whiskies produced there. The use of peat and seaweed during the malting process gives these whiskies their distinct medicinal flavors, which can range from subtle hints of salt and sea spray to intense, full-bodied flavors of brine, iodine, and tannic.
There is a wide variety of medicinal whiskies to explore and enjoy, such as the Talisker 10 years and Amrut Fusion .
Malty flavour profile
Malt is a key ingredient in many whiskies and adds a distinctive sweetness and nuttiness to the spirit.
Discover malty flavoured whiskies here .
Meaty cereal
Meaty cereal is a subcategory of the malty flavour profile that is often associated with rich, full-bodied whiskies. This flavor is characterized by notes of chocolate, rye, nutty, cocoa, grain, cereal, coffee, peanut, almond, bread.
A popular example of meaty cereal whiskies is the Glenmorangie Signet.
Fresh fruit
Fresh fruit is a subcategory of the malty flavor profile that is often associated with lighter and more delicate whiskies. This flavour is characterized by the bright and refreshing notes of fruits such as apples, pears, and citrus, and can add a crisp and refreshing quality to a whisky’s flavour profile. It is commonly found in whiskies that are aged in bourbon casks, as the natural sweetness of the fruit can be imparted onto the spirit during the maturation process. Interestingly, the fresh fruit flavor profile is often found in whiskies that are made in regions with cooler climates, where the bright and fresh flavours of fruit can be better preserved.
There is a wide variety of fresh fruit whiskies to explore and enjoy, such as the Glendronach revival 15 years.