The The

Single
Single
Malt
Malt
Whisky
Whisky
Fl avour
Fl avour
Map Map

nntgsem
ntosmoky,
MMedicinal,
opkepepepperyness
ppeerpypneersysnessS M
edM
iciendaicl,idry
ndarly,dry
ryosmoke
skm
epepperyness
nPgeuPungent
skm
y,osmoky,
pkeya, tpeaty
pyeraitpeaty
cyhnrrichness
iecshsnrichness
ess
dsm
Medicinal,
smoke
SO
MO
K YK Y PuPungent

Leafy,
stewed
fruit
Spiced,
stewed
fruitripeness
ripeness
Leafy,
stewed
fruit
Spiced,
stewed
fruitripeness
ripeness

Caol Caol
Ila 12Ila 12
Talisker
Talisker
10 10

Talisker
Talisker
18 18

Highland
Highland
Park Park
12 12

Cragganmore
Cragganmore
12 12
Cragganmore
Cragganmore
Distillers
Distillers
Bruichladdich
Bruichladdich
15 15
Edition
Edition

ObanOban
14 14

Dalwhinnie
Dalwhinnie
15 15

Clynelish
Clynelish
14 14

Cardhu
Cardhu
12 12
RoyalRoyal
Lochnagar
Lochnagar
12 12

Singleton
Singleton
of of
Dufftown
Dufftown
12 12

GlenGlen
ElginElgin
12 12

Glenkinchie
Glenkinchie
12 12

Macallan
Macallan
10 10

Glenkinchie
Glenkinchie
Distillers
Distillers
Edition
Edition
Glenmorangie
Glenmorangie
10 10

Glenlivet
Glenlivet
12 12
Aberlour
Aberlour
10 10

Jura Jura
10 10
Glenfiddich
Glenfiddich
12 12
Knockando
Knockando
12 12

Bunnahabhain
Bunnahabhain
12 12
Scapa
Scapa
14 14

Spiced, woody complexity

Spiced, woody complexity

Fresh fruit,
fruit,citrus
citruscrispness
crispness
Fresh
Fresh fruit,
fruit,citrus
citruscrispness
crispness
Fresh

Bowmore
Bowmore
12 12

Lagavulin
Lagavulin
Distillers
Distillers
Edition
Edition

RICH
RICH

LIGHT
LIGHT

Lagavulin
Lagavulin
16 16

Dried fruit, sherry richness

Dried fruit, sherry richness

Ardbeg
Ardbeg
10 10
Laphroaig
Laphroaig
10 10

bleiys,cubiscuity
bitsycussubtleness
FFloral,
,sgsfreshness
iutbytslsubtleness
eunbetslesness
lorFaherbal,
l,orhaeherbal,
lr,bhaelgrassy
r, bgaralgrassy
yrafsrsefreshness
yshfrneesshsness D E
NutNutty,
N
tyu, barley,
bttayr,lbarley,
ebya,rbiscuity
Floral,
DLEI LCIA
CTAET E Nutty,

Malts with
Maltsthis
with
shape
this symbol
shape symbol
are part
are
ofpart
the CofLASSIC
the CMLASSIC
ALTS Selection
MALTS Selection
ownedowned
by Diageo
by Diageo
Scotland
Scotland
Limited.
Limited.
The colours
The colours
relate to
relate
the regional
to the regional
map ofmap
Scotland
of Scotland
on the on
inside
the cover
inside cover

Malts with
Maltsthis
with
shape
this symbol
shape symbol
are notare
part
not
ofpart
the CofLASSIC
the CMLASSIC
ALTS Selection
MALTS Selection

How to use the Flavour Map

The Flavour Map makes it easy to identify where the subtle similarities
and distinct differences can be found, so you can explore the whisky
landscape with confidence.
On the vertical axis, whiskies are plotted as to how smoky or delicate they
are, while the horizontal axis plots whiskies on their light or rich qualities.
If, for example, you love Royal Lochnagar (both light and delicate) you
might enjoy the nuances of Glen Elgin or Dalwhinnie. Or for a complete
contrast, go for a malt from the other side of the map, such as the smoky
and rich Lagavulin.
Whether youre 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 its much more fun if you meander a little.
The important thing is to enjoy the journey.

A Guide to Flavours
The Flavour Map plots single malts on two axes. This means its easy to
see where a whisky sits based on its characteristics.

Light

Smoky

This end of the vertical axis houses whiskies whose characteristics

exhibit fresh flavours: green grass, soft fruits, cereal. Such flavours
tend to reflect the processes followed by a distillery, such as
fermentation or size and shape of the stills.

Single malts found in the two smoky quadrants all contain discernible
levels of peat, which is burned in the malting process. Ranging from
scented smoke and bonfires, to kippers and lapsang souchong, theyre
epitomised by Islay malts such as Lagavulin and Caol Ila.

Rich

Delicate

Whiskies at the rich end of the axis contain characteristics often

derived from the nature of the wood used during maturation.
Typical flavours range from vanilla (given by American oak casks)
to nuttiness to cigar box, chocolate and dried fruit (from European
oak casks). Whether a cask is first fill or refill will make a difference
to flavour.

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.

The Flavour Map has been prepared and endorsed by the independent whisky expert, Dave Broom, together with Diageo Scotland Limited. The Flavour Map features many brands of malt
whisky, some of which are owned by and are registered trademarks of Diageo Scotland Limited and some of which are owned by (and may be registered trademarks of ) other companies.
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.