Sweet Whiskies: 20 Picks

Whiskies with sweet notes of vanilla, honey, caramel or dried fruit. Sweetness often comes from ex-bourbon or sherry casks, or from corn-heavy recipes such as bourbon. Here are the whiskies we rate 4 or more out of 5 for sweetness.

1. 1

   Nikka Coffey Grain

   ニッカ カフェグレーン

   Japan / Miyagi / Grain / NAS / 45%

   Grain whisky made in a rare Coffey still. The sweetness of the grain comes through, with vanilla and chocolate-like aromas.

   SweetHighballOn the rocksNeat
2. 2

   Yellow Spot 12 Year Old

   Ireland / County Cork / Single Pot Still / 12 yrs / 46%

   A 12-year-old single pot still matured in bourbon, sherry and sweet Malaga wine casks. Rich with honey, peach and spice.

   SweetFruityRichNeatWith water
3. 3

   Ardbeg Uigeadail

   Scotland / Islay / Single Malt / NAS / 54.2%

   Smoky Ardbeg married with the raisin sweetness of old sherry casks, at cask strength. Named World Whisky of the Year in 2009.

   SmokySweetRichNeatWith water
4. 4

   Ballantine's 17 Year Old

   Scotland / Blended / 17 yrs / 40%

   Ballantine's premium blend of 40+ malts and grains, all aged 17 years or more. Honey and dried fruit with a whisper of smoke.

   SweetNeatOn the rocksWith water
5. 5

   Black Nikka Deep Blend

   ブラックニッカ ディープブレンド

   Japan / Blended / NAS / 45%

   A richer take on Black Nikka, using malt matured in new casks. Woody oak and vanilla sweetness meld with dense, malty richness.

   SweetOn the rocksHighballWith water
6. 6

   Black Nikka Rich Blend

   ブラックニッカ リッチブレンド

   Japan / Blended / NAS / 40%

   A Black Nikka built around sherry-cask malt, married with Nikka's Coffey grain. Fruity, floral aromas and smooth, sweet richness — designed to be enjoyed on the rocks.

   SweetOn the rocksHighballWith water
7. 7

   Buffalo Trace

   USA / Kentucky / Bourbon / NAS / 45%

   The flagship bourbon of a historic Frankfort, Kentucky distillery. Vanilla, caramel and toffee with gentle spice.

   SweetOn the rocksNeatCocktails
8. 8

   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.

   SweetFruityRichNeatWith water
9. 9

   Bushmills Black Bush

   Ireland / Blended / NAS / 40%

   A rich Irish blend with a very high malt content, matured in oloroso sherry casks. Dried-fruit sweetness and smooth depth.

   SweetNeatOn the rocksHighball
10. 10

    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.

    SweetFruityRichNeatWith water
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.

    SweetFruityRichNeatWith water
12. 12

    Hibiki Japanese Harmony

    響 JAPANESE HARMONY

    Japan / Blended / NAS / 43%

    Hibiki's no-age-statement blend, conceived to reflect Japan's seasons and sensibilities. Elegant and deep, soft on the palate, with a Mizunara finish.

    SweetNeatWith waterHighball
13. 13

    Highland Park 12 Year Old Viking Honour

    Scotland / Islands (Orkney) / Single Malt / 12 yrs / 40%

    The core expression from Highland Park on Orkney, one of Scotland's northernmost distilleries. Sherry-cask fruit and spice meet heathery peat smoke and honey.

    SweetNeatWith waterOn the rocks
14. 14

    Jameson Black Barrel

    Ireland / County Cork / Blended / NAS / 40%

    Jameson's richer step up, matured in double-charred bourbon barrels for deep butterscotch, toffee and vanilla.

    SweetOn the rocksNeatCocktails
15. 15

    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.

    SweetFruityNeatOn the rocksHighball
16. 16

    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.

    SweetFruityNeatOn the rocksHighball
17. 17

    Maker's Mark

    USA / Kentucky / Bourbon / NAS / 45%

    A softly sweet bourbon made with winter wheat instead of rye. Famous for its red wax-dipped bottle.

    SweetOn the rocksHighballCocktails
18. 18

    Midleton Very Rare

    Ireland / County Cork / Blended / NAS / 40%

    Released as a new vintage every year since 1984, widely regarded as the pinnacle of Irish whiskey. Each year has its own character, and every bottle is individually numbered.

    SweetRichNeat
19. 19

    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.

    SweetFruityNeatWith waterHighball
20. 20

    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.

    SweetFruityNeatOn the rocksHighball

Order and flavour profiles are our editorial guide.