Free whisky guide

Whisky Style Cheat Sheet

Five main whisky styles in plain English — what they taste like, who they suit, and one bottle to try in each. Start here if you're not sure what you enjoy.

Style 01

Light & Fruity

Highland · Lowland

The most approachable end of Scotch whisky. No smoke, no heaviness — just clean, delicate flavours that are easy to enjoy neat or with a little water.

Flavour notes

CitrusPeachVanillaFloralLight malt

Best for

First-time whisky drinkers, anyone who finds Scotch too harsh.

Try this bottle

Glenmorangie Original 12

Light, peachy and polished. One of the easiest Scotch recommendations we make.

Shop Now

Style 02

Smoky & Peaty

Islay · Campbeltown

The most distinctive style in Scotch whisky. Peat smoke gives these whiskies a bold, unmistakable character — sometimes medicinal, sometimes maritime, always memorable.

Flavour notes

Bonfire smokeSea saltIodineDark fruitAsh

Best for

Anyone who wants to understand what all the fuss is about. Not for the faint-hearted.

Try this bottle

Lagavulin 16

The benchmark peaty Scotch. Rich, smoky, and deeply satisfying.

Shop Now

Style 03

Rich & Sherried

Speyside · Highland

Aged in sherry casks, these whiskies are full, warming and complex. Think Christmas cake, dried fruit and dark chocolate rather than anything light or smoky.

Flavour notes

Dried fruitDark chocolateCinnamonOakToffee

Best for

Bourbon drinkers looking to explore Scotch, or anyone who enjoys rich, layered flavours.

Try this bottle

Balvenie Doublewood 12

Honeyed and rich with a gentle spice. A brilliant introduction to sherried Scotch.

Shop Now

Style 04

Spicy & Bold

Kentucky · Tennessee · Canada

American whiskey — bourbon and rye — is sweeter and spicier than Scotch. Made with corn and aged in new charred oak barrels, which gives it that distinctive caramel warmth.

Flavour notes

CaramelVanillaBaking spiceCornOak char

Best for

Cocktail drinkers, anyone who enjoys bourbon-forward drinks like an Old Fashioned.

Try this bottle

1792 Small Batch

Well-balanced Kentucky bourbon — spicy, sweet and punchy. Great value.

Shop Now

Style 05

Sweet & Approachable

Ireland · Japan · Blended Scotch

Irish whiskey and Japanese whisky tend to be lighter, smoother and more versatile than their Scotch counterparts. Blended Scotch sits here too — consistent, easy-drinking and great for mixing.

Flavour notes

HoneyLight fruitSoft spiceMaltGreen apple

Best for

Whisky cocktails, casual drinking, gifting to someone new to whisky.

Try this bottle

Jameson Black Barrel

Smooth Irish whiskey with a touch of sweetness and vanilla from double-charred barrels.

Shop Now

Taste alongside the sheet

Build a small tasting flight

If you want to compare several whisky styles, curated tasting sets let you explore without committing to full bottles.

Browse whisky tasting sets

Free whisky guide

Whisky Style Cheat Sheet

Five main whisky styles in plain English — what they taste like, who they suit, and one bottle to try in each. Start here if you're not sure what you enjoy.

Style 01

Light & Fruity

Highland · Lowland

The most approachable end of Scotch whisky. No smoke, no heaviness — just clean, delicate flavours that are easy to enjoy neat or with a little water.

Flavour notes

CitrusPeachVanillaFloralLight malt

Best for

First-time whisky drinkers, anyone who finds Scotch too harsh.

Try this bottle

Glenmorangie Original 12

Light, peachy and polished. One of the easiest Scotch recommendations we make.

Shop Now

Style 02

Smoky & Peaty

Islay · Campbeltown

The most distinctive style in Scotch whisky. Peat smoke gives these whiskies a bold, unmistakable character — sometimes medicinal, sometimes maritime, always memorable.

Flavour notes

Bonfire smokeSea saltIodineDark fruitAsh

Best for

Anyone who wants to understand what all the fuss is about. Not for the faint-hearted.

Try this bottle

Lagavulin 16

The benchmark peaty Scotch. Rich, smoky, and deeply satisfying.

Shop Now

Style 03

Rich & Sherried

Speyside · Highland

Aged in sherry casks, these whiskies are full, warming and complex. Think Christmas cake, dried fruit and dark chocolate rather than anything light or smoky.

Flavour notes

Dried fruitDark chocolateCinnamonOakToffee

Best for

Bourbon drinkers looking to explore Scotch, or anyone who enjoys rich, layered flavours.

Try this bottle

Balvenie Doublewood 12

Honeyed and rich with a gentle spice. A brilliant introduction to sherried Scotch.

Shop Now

Style 04

Spicy & Bold

Kentucky · Tennessee · Canada

American whiskey — bourbon and rye — is sweeter and spicier than Scotch. Made with corn and aged in new charred oak barrels, which gives it that distinctive caramel warmth.

Flavour notes

CaramelVanillaBaking spiceCornOak char

Best for

Cocktail drinkers, anyone who enjoys bourbon-forward drinks like an Old Fashioned.

Try this bottle

1792 Small Batch

Well-balanced Kentucky bourbon — spicy, sweet and punchy. Great value.

Shop Now

Style 05

Sweet & Approachable

Ireland · Japan · Blended Scotch

Irish whiskey and Japanese whisky tend to be lighter, smoother and more versatile than their Scotch counterparts. Blended Scotch sits here too — consistent, easy-drinking and great for mixing.

Flavour notes

HoneyLight fruitSoft spiceMaltGreen apple

Best for

Whisky cocktails, casual drinking, gifting to someone new to whisky.

Try this bottle

Jameson Black Barrel

Smooth Irish whiskey with a touch of sweetness and vanilla from double-charred barrels.

Shop Now

Taste alongside the sheet

Build a small tasting flight

If you want to compare several whisky styles, curated tasting sets let you explore without committing to full bottles.

Browse whisky tasting sets