Fruity Whisky for All Occasions - Sweet Whisky for Brandy Lovers
Fruity whiskies can be a great entry point for those used to the smooth taste of brandy. They accumulate a fruit-forward flavour during fermentation, distillation and maturation in pre-seasoned barrels. They provide a harmony of flavours characteristic of fruit-based spirits. With bright citrus notes, ripe, jammy flavours and juicy tropical fruit, fruity whiskies invite you to explore a new world of taste outside of the world of Scotch.
What gives whisky a fruity flavour?
During fermentation, yeast converts sugars into alcohol and produces fruity esters. Distillation further concentrates these flavours. Cask selection adds nuances as the whisky matures. The combination of these processes determines the fruity notes present in the bottle.
The Impact of Fermentation
During the fermentation process in whisky production, yeast interacts with sugars, converting them into alcohol, fruity esters and phenolic compounds are a by-product of this organic process. These aromatics are characteristic of ripening fruits. You might associate them with bananas, pineapples, pears, apples, melon and peach.
Different yeast strains contribute unique fruity notes, including citrus and red berries. Distilleries carefully control fermentation conditions, such as temperature and duration, to enhance specific fruity characteristics. The fermentation stage sets the foundation for the aromatic and taste profile of the whisky
“The clear wort creates big fruit - it just smells like banana bread and pineapple - it’s amazing!
That, in addition to long fermentation creates big flavours. Through distillation, we try and retain those fruit flavours that we’ve created.
The end product gives us a very big fruity, unctuous, oily style of spirit. We’re not creating a spirit where the flavour needs to be created by the wood but creating a spirit that is really fruity, grappa/eau de vie-style that can be accentuated by the barrels.
We’re already pre-loading flavour in production so the barrels can just add more flavour.
It’s about assessing each stage of production - does it make more flavour? Yes, let’s do that.”
- Rob Patchett, Global Whisky Ambassador for the Cotswolds Distillery
How Distillation influences the flavour profile
The distillers can control the purity and aroma compounds present in the final product. Different distillation techniques, such as pot still distillation or column distillation, can impact the final flavour by concentrating or refining certain fruity notes. For instance, pot still distillation leaves a rougher spirit packed with aromatic compounds and tropical fruit notes. Meanwhile, column distillation leaves a crisp, clean spirit with minimal impurity and citrus notes.
Cut points, influence the amount of flavour that makes it through distillation. Earlier cut points make lighter whiskies, later cut points or larger cuts allow more phenolic compound in the final whisky. Double distillation is standard for single malt whisky but further a third run, typical in Irish whisky allow for a purer, crisper spirit.
Learn about single malt whisky production
The head distiller makes these key decisions which influence the outcome of the whisky. Then these cut points are replicated to maintain a consistent flavour across batches. Cotswolds Distillery prioritises big fruit and full-bodied flavour.
Shop Single Malt Whisky of the Cotswolds
The importance of Cask Selection
The importance of cask selection in crafting the best fruity whisky cannot be overstated. Casks play a crucial role in influencing the flavour profile and complexity of the final product. Different types of casks, such as American white oak or sweet Sherry casks, impart unique characteristics during the ageing process. For example, Bourbon casks made from American oak infuse whisky with sweet honey notes, vanilla and caramel. Meanwhile, Sherry casks can add rich fruity notes to a blend. Master blenders carefully choose barrels based on the desired flavour profile, whether it's a single cask malt whisky or a blended malt whisky.
Look for a Sherry or dessert wine cask if you want a sweet and fruity expression. Alternative barrel seasonings such as vermouth, Cognac or Brandy can be used in New World whisky for a unique flavour profile.
Whisky vs Brandy: What's the Difference?
Whisky and brandy are both distilled and aged in oak. However, Brandy uses white wine as the base alcohol - whisky uses beer. You wouldn't want to drink either base but they're perfect for distilling. Eau de vie (translated as 'water of life') comes off the stills during Brandy production and 'heart cut' is extracted during whisky production.
The grape-based spirit -Brandy- offers fruitier flavours such red fruits, berries, raisins and apricots with additional influences from oak barrels. The grain-based spirit- whisky- offers a different kind of fruit - bananas, pineapple and melon, with notes of honey, herbs and citrus. While there is plenty of overlap, particularly in sweeter whiskies, there are distinct regional rules that separate the two spirits.
Top Sweet Whiskies for Brandy Lovers
If you are a Brandy enthusiast seeking to delve into the world of whisky, consider a fruity expression aged in sweet Sherry or American white oak casks or Somerset Pomona Spirit casks, to experience the complexity of the style. There are some exceptional single malt Scotch whiskies that offer a heavy tropical fruit and citrus profile, such as Glenfiddich or Fettercairn. Indulge in the smoothness and sweetness of Cotswolds Single Malt Whisky.
The best Sherry-Cask Whisky from the Cotswolds Distillery
For those appreciating fruity notes in their whisky, the best Sherry cask whisky can be a delightful choice. Sweet Sherries such as Pedro Ximenez impart an unctuous raisiny flavour while, dry Oloroso Sherry casks offer rich nuttiness with hints of baking spice and chocolate. Many producers will blend Pedro Ximenez and Oloroso Sherry casked whisky together for the ultimate symphony of flavour.
Our Sherry Cask Single Malt Whisky is a marriage of carefully selected and blended sherry casks.
Each yearly batch is unique, drawn from the finest American and Spanish oak casks. Some barrels previously aged dry Oloroso sherry and some aged sweet Pedro Ximénez Sherry.
All our Sherry cask whiskies have been aged to full maturation in ex-Sherry casks for a deeper and richer fruit flavour.
Taste fried fruits, chocolate, nuttiness and a touch of baking spice.
The best Wine-Cask Whisky
Wine-Cask Whisky offers less sweetness and a tannin-filled fruitiness. Casks such as Pineau des Charentes offers balanced sweetness whereas, red wine casks, particularly European oak offer herbaceous, spiced and chocolatey hints. Explore our wine casked whiskies available for a rich and fruity flavour.
Hearts & Crafts Pineau des Charentes Cask Single Malt Whisky
We've selected a small parcel of premium French oak ex-red wine casks seasoned with Pineau des Charentes – fresh grape juice blended with Cognac.
The sweet notes of this golden aperitif wine are well balanced by the French oak tannins, resulting in rich notes of summer berries, almond and baking spices.
Founder’s Choice Single Malt Whisky
Our cask strength Founder's Choice Single Malt Whisky is aged exclusively in our founder Dan's favourite casks: STR (Shaved, Toasted and Re-charred) ex-red wine barriques.
These highly active casks give a rich and intense maturation to our fruity new make spirit, offering pungent notes of toffee, chocolate and red fruits, as well as a beautiful, deep colour.
Cotswolds Signature Single Malt Whisky
Our Signature Single Malt flavours the rich and bold, fruity notes which result from maturation in our highly active STR (Shaved, Toasted and Re-charred) ex-red wine barrels. Blended with whisky matured in premium first-fill ex-Bourbon barrels, this single malt has notes of honey, red fruits and a hint of treacle.
Our Signature Single Malt flavours the rich and bold, fruity notes which result from maturation in our highly active STR (Shaved, Toasted and Re-charred) ex-red wine barrels. Blended with whisky matured in premium first-fill ex-Bourbon barrels, this single malt has notes of honey, red fruits and a hint of treacle.
Try a Sweet and Smoky Whisky
Indulge in the complex flavours of a sweet and smoky whisky for a delightful sensory experience. Combining the richness of sweet honey and fruity notes with the distinctive smokiness of peat, these whiskies offer a unique balance that appeals to both seasoned enthusiasts and newcomers. Find the best lightly peated single malt whisky.
Peated Cask Single Malt Whisky
Aged for full term maturation in ex-peated quarter casks, our peated cask whisky offers delicate smoke. It's a delightfully moreish single malt with subtle hints of peat smoke which complement the vanilla notes from the oak and the tropical fruitiness of our single malt spirit.
Think smoky vanilla ice cream!
Harvest Series Golden Wold Single Malt Whisky
Our limited edition Golden Wold Single Malt Whisky is the first release in our Harvest Series and is a blend of select ex-Bourbon, STR red wine and Peated casks. This smooth and mellow blend which shows off the rich and fruity character of our single malt spirit.
Whisky with Tropical Fruit Notes
For those seeking a delightful tropical twist in their whisky, expressions with notes of exotic fruits like pineapple, peach, and citrus offer a unique flavour experience. The Cotswolds Distillery uses a long fermentation period to pack the whisky with tropical fruits – embodied in the Cotswolds Signature Single Malt.
The combination of the spirit's smoothness and the vibrant fruit notes creates a harmonious balance that is perfect for both sipping neat or as a versatile base for cocktails. Additionally, the influence of tropical fruits, honey, citrus and toffee adds complexity and depth to the overall profile, appealing to enthusiasts looking for a fruity yet sophisticated dram.
The Best Ways to Enjoy Fruity Whisky
The charm of fruity whisky is that they're effortlessly easy to enjoy neat, mixed, or in a cocktail. Balance something savoury or enhance a sweet treat.
Food Pairings for Fruity Whisky?
Elevating your enjoyment of fruity whisky is as simple as choosing the right accompaniment to either match or cut through the sweetness.
Try these pairings to make your whisky tasting even better:
- Cheese: Aged cheddar or Gouda has creamy textures and sharp notes. They create a nice contrast with the fruity sweetness of the whisky.
- Chocolate: Dark chocolate, especially with sea salt, fruit or nuts, match the notes of a Sherry or red-wine cask whisky.
- Fruit: Fresh berries like raspberries or strawberries, and even baked apples or pears, match well with the fruit-forward whisky. Try desserts that incorporate topical fruit such as pineapples, or bananas.
- Vanilla ice cream: forget the ice in your drink, try a fruity whisky with a good quality ice cream. Creamy vanilla balances rich fruitiness perfectly. You could even try a Sherry cask affogato.
The key to enjoying a whisky is finding your preference, even if this means enjoying your whisky with a kebab and cheesy chips.
Fruity Whisky Cocktails
Fruity whiskies are popular with both mixology fans and bartenders. They offer a range of flavours and can easily be incorporated into cocktails.
The natural sweetness of fruity whiskies helps balance sweet and sour flavours. Try a classic Whisky Sour - fruity notes come together with lemon juice and simple syrup. You could make a fruit-forward Old Fashioned with whisky, bitters and brown sugar. A Godfather cocktail mixes amaretto and single malt. A Manhattan blends sweet vermouth, bitters and whisky – the perfect recipe for a fruity whisky.
You can't go amiss with a whisky highball. Coca-Cola, Sprite or Appletiser are perfect mixers for sweeter whiskies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a whisky fruity in flavour?
The fruity notes in scotch whisky mostly come from production and maturation in Sherry or Bourbon casks. New world whisky permits the use of alternative barrel seasonings and Cotswolds Distillery prioritises fruit-forward flavours and tropical fruit with less reliance on barrel exchange.
Can fruity whiskies be enjoyed by brandy lovers?
Fruity whiskies offer similarities with brandy, especially when they've been aged in wine, sherry, brandy or Cognac casks. Brandy is typically aged in European oak but American oak offers a sweeter profile which could be more appealing to bandy or Bourbon enthusiasts.
How do I choose a fruity whisky from Cotswolds Distillery?
Cotswolds Distillery makes great single malt whiskies. You'll taste tropical fruits, soft fruits, spice and citrus but each bottle takes unique flavours from the barrels they age in and how they're blended. Bourbon barrels offer hints of caramel or toffee apple. Sherry barrels offer notes akin to fruit and nut chocolate.
What to read next
Your guide to choosing the best whisky with vanilla and caramel
Your guide to choosing the best spicy whisky
Your guide to choosing the best floral and herb whisky