Explore our new world of eight distinct flavour profiles
At The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, we’ve always believed that flavour should lead the way. That’s why, back in 2012, we introduced a new way of exploring our whiskies — grouping them by flavour to reflect the incredible variety and character of our single cask, cask strength releases.
Since then, our 12 flavour profiles have guided members through our ever-changing collection, putting discovery and enjoyment at the heart of every dram. Now, we’re taking that idea even further.
We’re evolving how we explore and present flavour, launching eight newly defined flavour profiles, each with its own name, colour, and character. These profiles sit at the heart of our refreshed Signature Range, designed to offer even more clarity, confidence, and curiosity as you discover your next favourite dram.
Why the Change?
After years of gathering tasting data, analysing thousands of Tasting Panel notes, and listening closely to member feedback, we’ve taken a fresh look at how we present flavour, not just in the glass, but in how we guide you to it.
With hundreds of bottlings released each year, this evolution is about making your flavour journey more rewarding — whether you’re just getting started or a long-time Society explorer.
Our new flavour profiles offer:
- Simpler, quicker ways to explore
- A more intuitive, flavour-first experience
- Clearer, more expressive flavour descriptions that capture both character and cask influence
You’ll still recognise the flavours you know and love — but they’ve been thoughtfully regrouped in ways that better reflect how our members enjoy whisky today. We’ve moved away from age-led categories like Young & Spritely and Old & Dignified, and refined our peated profiles into two clearer camps: Smoky & Fruity and Bold & Peaty, each expressing a distinct peated style.
This isn’t a simplification — it’s a refinement. A flavour map that’s more vibrant, more accessible, and more in tune with how you discover and savour whisky.
Focusing on what matters: Flavour
Our much-loved Tasting Notes will remain central to the Society experience, describing in full what makes each whisky special. The new profiles simply make it easier and quicker to find the kinds of flavours you love.
Every bottle continues to showcase our dedication to exceptional, flavour-rich cask strength whisky. From three-year-olds to thirty-year-olds, it’s the whisky inside — not the age or region — that matters most.
With clearer detail on cask origin, additional maturation, and rarity, our updated Signature Range labels offer more insight into what’s in the bottle — and what makes it special.
A Continuing Adventure in Flavour
From our unconventional beginnings in 1983, when founder Pip Hills rejected the whisky status quo, the Society has always championed bold thinking, big flavour, and an ever-curious spirit. As we look to the future, these new profiles represent not a change in direction, but a sharpening of focus — a celebration of the flavours that bring us together.
This is whisky with a taste for flavour. This is the next chapter in your flavour journey.
The 8 Flavour Profiles of the SMWS
