Flavour Profiles

Whisky is a versatile, complex spirit that can deliver a range of flavours evoking different responses from member to member. In 2012, the Society’s Tasting Panel created unique flavour profiles to help group whiskies into easily identifiable categories. Think of them as locations on a flavour map and prepare to take a journey through our ever-changing selection of single cask, single malt whiskies.

In 2025, the Panel evolved the original twelve profiles (now called “Legacy Profiles” as seen under the flavour wheel below) into eight profiles - each with a new name, colour and character. Over time you'll see more of these new profiles in our monthly Outturns as we slowly retire the original twelve "legacy" profiles.

Discover more about the new flavour profiles HERE.

• Fragrant & floral
• Bold & peaty
• Coastal & maritime
• Sweet & zesty
• Smoky & fruity
• Toasted oak & vanilla
• Ripe fruits & honey
• Dried fruits & spices

Legacy Profiles

• Young & spritely
• Sweet, fruity & mellow
• Spicy & sweet
• Spicy & dry
• Deep, rich & dried fruits
• Old & dignified
• Light & delicate
• Juicy, oak & vanilla
• Oily & coastal
• Lightly peated
• Peated
• Heavily peated