Whisky Forum - Your personal favourite aromas and taste factors

Quaich1

We all have our favorite single malt scotches and blends and to some extent our favorite regions where they are produced. However, what I really have been noticing are specific aromas and tastes (flavours ) that I particularly enjoy and draw me to like drams. What specific aromas and specific tastes appeal to you regardless of distillery or specific bottling?

Personally, I am drawn towards whiskies with nose and palate combinations of of pipe tobacco, Demerara sugar, Turkish delight, layers of chocolate, mint, and tobacco leaves. The more of these in a dram, the more I enjoy it. Add a touch of sweet peat, smoke and spice and I like it even more. Match this with an older matured cask and I'm more than satisfied. I do enjoy sherried casks too.

How about you?
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"Always carry a large flagon of whisky in case of snakebite and furthermore always carry a small snake."
W.C. Fields (1880-1946)

sorren · Posted: Wed Apr 22, 2015 5:46 pm Post subject:

Interesting topic Murray, for me it's not so much a particular scent or flavour, I really love the nose on old sherry matured whiskys, I can sit and nose these all night, the whole package, sweet scents of vanilla, toffee apples and the likes, as you know I'm no fan of peat so if I whiff it that's it, I can't get passed it, I don't mind soft hints of smoke but no medicinal scents, I can't wait to see what others like..

Mark · Master Of Malts Joined: 27 Sep 2006 Posts: 1665

If i was to express a preference i would say i am very partial to a older aged sherried malt and when the mood takes me a young peaty sherried malt

Grant M · Posted: Wed Apr 22, 2015 9:38 pm Post subject:

My personal favourites are the tastes and aromas that you get from a mature heavily sherried whisky. Also the complex flavours and aromas of Irish single pot still whiskey, perhaps not as intense flavours as found in Scotch but I love the smooth subtle flavours you find in this style of whiskey.

James T · Master Of Malts Joined: 05 Feb 2011 Posts: 2978

For me "Age Matters", I enjoy all the various styles of whisky but what i enjoy most is a mature whisky, for me the best whiskies are 18 plus, the age is a major part of the aromas and flavour of a whisky for me. You can give any NAS whisky all the marketing spin/rubish you want and it may even be pretty good but nothing beats age for me.

opelfruit · Posted: Thu Apr 23, 2015 6:20 am Post subject:

I think to think my preferences are varied and I try not to channel myself down one profile. I like the pungent diesel smoke you get from young oily islay whiskies but I need to be in the mood for them. I also like the aromas and flavours from a good sherry cask, it doesn't have to be old really but maturation time really brings out the stuff I like, such as walnuts and old leather with rich body.

To me I really enjoy exploring new and interesting profiles from whiskies from around the world, I particularly enjoy the insense you get in Japanese whisky and the dusty spicy (curried spices) from Indian whisky.

The main thing is complexity and balance between aroma and various flavours, if that's there then I'm happy.
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"Too much of anything is bad, but too much good whisky is barely enough."

Brummie · Master Of Malts Joined: 08 Feb 2010 Posts: 661

I enjoy the variety of styles, I dont have a specific favourite.

Alastair · Posted: Thu Apr 23, 2015 7:54 pm Post subject:

I do enjoy the varied styles of Scotch whisky but like others when looking for something special i turn to older and often sherry cask matured whiskies.

Alexppp · Master Of Malts Joined: 16 Jul 2010 Posts: 1791

There are too many to pinpoint probably, and they change depending on my mood. Right now for example I'm especially partial to the citrus fruits and spring/summer meadow notes that you find in young and middle-aged Balblairs.