Let’s talk about… flavour

A versatile and complex spirit, Single Malt Whisky boasts an immense variety of flavour profiles. The diverse range can be overwhelming and there’s definitely a sense sometimes of being spoilt for choice.

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS) have helpfully listed 12 distinct flavour categories to help pair you with your ideal dram:

1. Young & Spritely

2. Sweet, Fruity & Mellow

3. Spicy & Sweet

4. Spicy & Dry

5. Old & Dignified

6. Deep, Rich & Dried Fruits

7. Light & Delicate

8. Juicy, Oak & Vanilla

9. Oily & Coastal

10. Lightly Peated

11. Peated

12. Heavily Peated

These categories (and the range of possibilities they cover) also communicate how many opportunities there are for flavour development throughout the production process. With the launch of our online Focus on Flavour module, we thought we’d delve a bit deeper into the chemistry behind the origins of flavour.

Flavour congeners are compounds that you can taste and smell.