Fruity Whiskies: 20 Picks

Whiskies with bright aromas of apple, pear, citrus or tropical fruit. These notes come from fermentation, distillation and the casks used, and are common in Speyside single malts and Irish whiskey. Here are the whiskies we rate 4 or more out of 5 for fruitiness.

1. 1

   Bushmills 16 Year Old Single Malt

   Ireland / Northern Ireland / Single Malt / 16 yrs / 40%

   A single malt combining whiskeys aged 16+ years in bourbon and sherry casks, then finished in port pipes. Rich dried fruit, berries and nuts.

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2. 2

   Hakushu 18 Year Old

   白州 18年

   Japan / Yamanashi / Single Malt / 18 yrs / 43%

   Hakushu made from malts aged 18+ years. Deep ripe-fruit aromas and gentle smoke, with complex richness and oak in harmony.

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3. 3

   Kavalan Classic

   Taiwan / Single Malt / NAS / 40%

   The flagship single malt from Kavalan in Yilan, Taiwan. Rapid subtropical maturation gives lush tropical fruit, vanilla and coconut.

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4. 4

   Miyagikyo Single Malt 10 Year Old

   シングルモルト宮城峡 10年

   Japan / Miyagi / Single Malt / 10 yrs / 45%

   A single malt from whisky aged at least 10 years at Miyagikyo near Sendai. Fruity apple and citrus with soft vanilla sweetness from maturation.

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5. 5

   Teeling Single Malt

   Ireland / Single Malt / NAS / 46%

   A single malt combining whiskeys matured in five wine casks — sherry, port, Madeira, white Burgundy and Cabernet Sauvignon. Vivid dried fruit, citrus and spice.

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6. 6

   Bushmills 10 Year Old Single Malt

   Ireland / Northern Ireland / Single Malt / 10 yrs / 40%

   A benchmark Irish single malt: triple-distilled malt aged at least 10 years in bourbon and sherry casks. Smooth honey, vanilla and ripe fruit.

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7. 7

   Glenfiddich 12 Year Old

   Scotland / Speyside / Single Malt / 12 yrs / 40%

   One of the world's best-known single malts. Fresh, pear-like fruit with gentle butterscotch and cream.

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8. 8

   Glenmorangie The Original

   Scotland / Highlands / Single Malt / 10 yrs / 40%

   A delicate, fruity Highland malt from the tallest stills in Scotland. Citrus and peach softened by vanilla.

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9. 9

   Green Spot

   Ireland / County Cork / Single Pot Still / NAS / 40%

   A single pot still whiskey from Dublin wine merchants Mitchell & Son. Fresh green apple and pear with a light touch of spice.

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10. 10

    Hakushu 12 Year Old

    白州 12年

    Japan / Yamanashi / Single Malt / 12 yrs / 43%

    A 12-year-old single malt from the "forest distillery". Fresh green-leaf and fruit aromas with a soft, sweet smokiness.

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11. 11

    Hibiki 21 Year Old

    響 21年

    Japan / Blended / 21 yrs / 43%

    One of the pinnacles of Suntory blending: carefully selected malt and grain whiskies aged 21+ years. Ripe fruit and deep oak.

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12. 12

    Ichiro's Malt Double Distilleries

    イチローズモルト ダブルディスティラリーズ

    Japan / Blended Malt / NAS / 46.5%

    A pure malt marrying malts from Hanyu and Chichibu, two distilleries tied to Ichiro Akuto. Green apple and honey with Mizunara spice.

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13. 13

    Kirin Fuji Single Blended Japanese Whisky

    キリン シングルブレンデッド 富士

    Japan / Shizuoka / Blended / NAS / 46%

    A rare "single blended" whisky: both malt and grain are made at Fuji Gotemba Distillery. Mount Fuji's spring water and diverse spirits create a harmonious blend.

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14. 14

    Kirin Fuji Single Grain Japanese Whisky

    キリン シングルグレーン 富士

    Japan / Shizuoka / Grain / NAS / 46%

    A single grain combining whiskies from three distillation methods at Fuji Gotemba. Poached pear and marmalade fruit with rye-like spice.

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15. 15

    Nikka Coffey Malt

    ニッカ カフェモルト

    Japan / Miyagi / Grain / NAS / 45%

    An unusual whisky: 100% malted barley distilled in a Coffey still. Peach, tropical fruit and banana with a silky texture.

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16. 16

    Redbreast 12 Year Old

    Ireland / County Cork / Single Pot Still / 12 yrs / 40%

    The benchmark single pot still Irish whiskey. Sherry-cask dried fruit and pot still spice come together in a mellow, rounded dram.

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17. 17

    Redbreast 15 Year Old

    Ireland / County Cork / Single Pot Still / 15 yrs / 46%

    An older, richer step up from the 12, bottled at 46% and non-chill filtered. Berry fruit and ripe plum meet spice and toasted oak.

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18. 18

    Single Malt Kanosuke

    シングルモルト嘉之助

    Japan / Kagoshima / Single Malt / NAS / 48%

    The core single malt from Kanosuke Distillery in Kagoshima. Sweet, elegant Japanese character from ex-shochu casks, with a faint sea-breeze saltiness.

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19. 19

    Single Malt Miyagikyo

    シングルモルト宮城峡

    Japan / Single Malt / NAS / 45%

    The no-age-statement single malt from Miyagikyo near Sendai. Sweet, lush apple and pear aromas with vanilla and a smooth texture.

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20. 20

    Teeling Single Grain

    Ireland / Grain / NAS / 46%

    A corn-based grain whiskey fully matured in Californian red wine casks — vivid red berry fruit and spice.

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Order and flavour profiles are our editorial guide.