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Fruity whisky: seven whiskies with fruit in the foreground
Seven fruity whiskies, from Craigellachie 13 Bas-Armagnac Cask and Glenmorangie Nectar to Blair Athol 12, and where whisky's orchard and tropical fruit flavours come from.
From orchard fruit to ripe berries and tropical fruit, whisky can show a wide range of fruity flavours. These seven whiskies put different kinds of fruit in the foreground; six are single malts and one is a blend. See how we compare prices for the scope of the latest checked prices shown below.
Craigellachie 13 Year Old Bas-Armagnac Cask
Price: £54.95 at Master of Malt.
Mild, with pears and honeydew melon
What we like: Craigellachie 13 Year Old Bas-Armagnac Cask is finished in casks that held Bas-Armagnac from Gascony, as the producer explains. Our tasters found a heavy body and silky mouthfeel in balance, with crème brûlée and pear confit alongside walnuts and honeydew melon. Mineral notes also appear.
Glenmorangie The Nectar 16 Year Old
Price: £68.69 at Master of Malt.
A velvety Highland malt with soft mandarin
What we like: Glenmorangie The Nectar 16 Year Old is finished in four sweet-wine cask types: Sauternes, Monbazillac, Moscatel and Tokaji, according to the producer. Our tasters found it soft on the palate, with mandarin, fruit cake, raisins and walnuts. The dry finish adds mineral and zesty notes.
The Irishman Caribbean Cask
This pick is included for its flavour profile; this guide does not show a price for it.
An Irish whiskey with pineapple, mango and coconut
What we like: The Irishman Caribbean Cask is a blend of Irish single malt and single pot still whiskey made from 100% Irish barley. The producer says it gets a six-month finish in rum casks from the Caribbean island of St Lucia. Our tasters found a soft mouthfeel and a tropical fruit character: pineapple and mango with orange peel and coconut, then fresh mint and peach iced tea in the middle. Prickly oak gives a contrast in the finish.
Glenfiddich Orchard Experiment
This pick is included for its flavour profile; this guide does not show a price for it.
Orchard fruit and a Somerset Pomona cask finish
What we like: Glenfiddich Orchard Experiment is finished in casks that held Somerset Pomona, as described in the retailer product information. Pomona blends apple juice and cider brandy. Our tasters found ripe apples, pears, banana and lime together, with oak giving a gently bitter counterweight in the soft finish. A Speyside pick.
Tullibardine 228
Price: £40.50 at Master of Malt.
A Highland malt with strawberries and raspberries
What we like: Tullibardine 228 Burgundy is a Highland single malt with a Burgundy cask finish. The producer describes its 228-litre casks as having previously held Pinot Noir. Our tasters found rich, sweet flavours: semolina pudding with strawberries and raspberries and caramelised flaked almonds. A touch of mint and anise adds freshness before fine oak in the finish.
Blair Athol 12 Year Old
Price: £55.95 at Master of Malt.
A sherry-cask Highland malt with dried cherries and blackberries
What we like: Blair Athol 12 Year Old is part of the Flora & Fauna series. The distillery says its 12-year-old malt is aged in sherry barrels. Our tasters found strong, oak-led notes with dried cherries, blackberries and chocolate-hazelnut spread.
Glenkinchie Distillers Edition
Price: £69.95 at Hard To Find Whisky.
A mild Lowland malt with mandarin and pineapple
What we like: Glenkinchie Distillers Edition is released in batches. The 2022 edition used amontillado-seasoned casks; check the edition when comparing bottles. Our tasters found ripe mandarin, honey and pineapple, with grain and herbs alongside winey notes and gentle oak. The edition of that tasting is not recorded, so a different release may taste different.
A guide to fruity whisky
Fruity notes can describe many different things, from orchard fruit to citrus and dried fruit. Compare a few of the tasting descriptions above to see which appeals to you; the same words may be perceived differently by different drinkers.
A whisky’s character reflects its production and maturation. The Scotch Whisky Association explains that raw materials, distillation and oak maturation all contribute to differences between whiskies. Cask type can offer a clue, but it does not guarantee a particular fruit flavour.