Fresh Fruit & Vanilla
Ripe, sometimes honeyed orchard fruits and creamy vanilla go hand-in hand, usually thanks to American oak casks.
Flavours often found in Fresh Fruit & Vanilla whiskies
These whiskies are juicy, creamy, and sometimes tropical.
Including flavours like peach, coconut, fruit salad, crème brûlée, pineapple and cinnamon.
Where to begin
Bright, smooth and beautifully approachable — these whiskies offer a gentle introduction to flavours of fresh fruit and soft vanilla. Perfect for newcomers or anyone looking for something light, vibrant and effortlessly enjoyable.
The cream of the crop
The stars of the show — award-winners, fan favourites and timeless classics. These whiskies perfectly balance orchard fruit sweetness with creamy vanilla richness. Refined, crowd-pleasing drams that never disappoint.
The hidden gems
For those ready to explore a little deeper - here you’ll find distinctive whiskies bursting with unexpected fruit notes and layered vanilla character. Small-batch releases, independent bottlings and creative expressions that reveal just how elegant and complex this flavour profile can be.
How Fresh Fruit & Vanilla whisky is made
Yeast added to a fermentation vessel, known as a washback
Vanilla and coconut notes are a hallmark of American oak casks, used to age whisky. Often this means ex-bourbon casks, which are widely used to mature other whiskies around the world including most single malt whisky. Although former rum or even wine casks can also produce wonderful Fresh Fruit & Vanilla whiskies.
These flavours wonderfully complement fruity notes initially created during fermentation. Even once the required alcohol has been created (taking about 48 hours), many distillers allow their fermentation to continue for double that time or more in order for a variety of fruity esters (flavour compounds) to develop.
Fruity esters then develop over time during maturation in wood casks, from some of the bright notes you may find in Fragrant & Floral whiskies – think pear drops – to juicier and even cooked notes such as nectarines or tarte tatin.
Find out more about other whisky flavours
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