Although taste is very personal, it is always helpful to have a guide for a deeper understanding and greater enjoyment, particularly when tasting Whisky, as it is full of different flavours and although there is always crossover, you can often group them by their key characteristics. The Flavour Nest was created to help simplify these differences, grouping whisky in to 5 different profiles, with two other profiles for new make and botanical spirits. Every whisky on The Whisky Nest will be assigned one of these profiles and this post details the different flavours associated with each profile.
Sweet Spice
These whiskies are lighter with hints of flavours that make them a great introduction for those new to whisky, with key notes of:
Lighter Grasses
Ginger
Cinnamon
Toffee
Citrus Fruits
Whiskies to try - Mack by Mackmyra, Penderyn Hiraeth
Floral Zest
These whiskies have more prominent flavours and added depth, with notes including:
Orchard Fruits
Floral
Honey
Vanilla
Nuts
Spice
Whiskies to try - Nc'nean Organic Single Malt Whisky, Starward Left-field, Filey Bay Flagship
Fruit Cake
More depth, with darker and cake-like notes appearing in these fuller bodied whiskies:
Caramel
Fruit Cake
Malt
Oak
Heather
Dried Fruit
Whiskies to try - The Lakes WMR No.5, Starward Fortis
Soft Smoke
Here we see an introduction of subtle peat and smoke, which is perfect for those looking to start a journey in to peated whiskies:
Hint of peat
Touch of smoke
Black Pepper
Honey
Brine
Oil
Whiskies to try - M&H Elements Peated Cask, Glasgow 1770 Peated, Penderyn Celt
Deep Peat
As the name suggests, this is not for the faint-hearted, as it packs a full-bodied punch filled with peaty and smoky notes:
Salty
Peat
Smokefest
Beach Bonfire
Oil
Meaty
Medicinal
Whiskies to try - Svensk Rok, Annandale Man O Sword
New Make
This is the spirit produced during the distillation process that is then left in a cask to mature in to whisky. Some distilleries are so focused on the quality of their new make it is good enough to drink straight away.
New Make to try
Cooper King (light & Fruity)
Peated Rascally Liquor (Peated)
Botanical
Many distilleries are playing with their new make spirit to create wonderful, whisky-based, alternatives to drinks like Gin. If you have never drunk whiskies this is a great way to start your journey and an awesome replacement for Gin or as the base of your favourite cocktail.
Botanical to try
Nc'nean Botanical Spirit (Sweet and Spice)
Lindores Aqua Vitae (Spice, herbs and dark fruits)
Hopefully, you now have a better understanding of The Flavour Nest and it can help guide you on your Journey of discovery in the new world of whisky. Use it to see what whiskies you like and find others that are similar or look to venture in to new flavour profiles and challenge your pallet and your perception of other whiskies. However you use it, ensure you enjoy yourself, drink whisky the way you want to and share the experience...