The Single Malt Whisky Flavour Map
Whisky isn’t complicated, it simply needs to be explained in the right way.
The Flavour Map will help you choose a single malt whisky based on its taste. Developed by some of Scotland's most experienced professionals, the map demonstrates that – when it comes to flavour in a glass of whisky – all single malts can be plotted on a simple grid.
Created by the renowned whisky expert Dave Broom, and Jim Beveridge, one of the industry’s great noses, it’s an innovative way of comparing and assessing single malts. The Flavour Map means you can identify how light or rich, and how smoky or delicate a whisky is compared to ones you may already be familiar with.
To make it even easier, within the map our experts have identified four distinct flavour profiles:
LIGHT & FLORAL
FRUITY & SPICY
RICH & ROUNDED
FULL-BODIED & SMOKY
Explaining the Two Axis
The whiskies at this end of the axis normally use no peat in the malting process. While movement up the axis sees an increase in complexity, this is without any discernible level of smokiness derived by peat. Towards the light end there is a floral, grassy freshness. Moving towards the richer side of the map, subtler nutty, barley and biscuity flavours start to come through.
Discover Your Favourite
If, for example, you enjoy Talisker 10 Year Old, which falls within the Full Bodied and Smoky flavour style, then you may also enjoy Caol Ila 12 Year Old. Or, you could try something completely different like Glenkinchie 12 Year Old, which falls into the Light & Floral flavour style.
Whether you're shopping for yourself or trying to buy a gift for a friend, think of the map as a starting point for new discoveries. By all means go straight from A-Z, but it's much more fun if you meander a little. The important thing is to enjoy the journey.
The Flavour Map has been prepared and endorsed by the independent whisky expert, Dave Broom, together with Diageo Scotland Limited. In addition to the names of individual distilleries listed on the Flavour Map, the Classic Malts words, the Quaich device, the Flavour Map device and associated logos are trademarks.