From honey and salted caramel to banana and coffee, these whiskeys are a right treat.
Traditional whiskey is polarising. It can be rugged, dry and smoky – and boy do we appreciate that – but we get that it’s not for everyone. Things don’t always have to be so serious. We bet even the most diehard of the kilted-up Scotsmen like a reprieve from Scotch now and again.
You could spend years building up a palate for whiskey, but if you like your tastebuds as they are, thank you very much, there’s still plenty to enjoy in this side of the drinks aisle. Fun flavour is the name of the game, so we’ve rounded up five very approachable flavoured whiskeys that are certifiably delish. Sip ’em over ice, mix it into a cocktail, or just add your soda of choice to them.
Click image to shop
1. Dubliner Fiery Irish Liqueur
Some like it hot and some like it hotter. If you like a lick of spice in your drinking experience, this is the drop for you. It’s a fun little liqueur from the people over at Dubliner that is sweet and cinnamony, but packs a generous chilli punch. You can drink it short or on a good amount of ice, but we reckon its intense chilli and spice flavours lend themselves to a highball-styled cocktail.
That might be a twist on the Dublin Spider Highball. You’ll need one shot of Dubliner Fiery Irish Liqueur and a nice splash of aromatic bitters served over heaps of ice, topped with a good quality dry ginger ale. The soft drink adds another layer of spice and sweetness to the whiskey liqueur, while the ice will do its thing diluting. Garnish with a lime wedge.
2. Wild Turkey American Honey Liqueur
The sweeter side of the Kentucky bourbon family is Wild Turkey’s American Honey Liqueur. Still clean, bright and as bold as you would expect from Wild Turkey Bourbon, this has an added honey-rich finish (and yes, they use real honey) that’s sweet and smooth.
This is a perfect drop to sip over ice or neat, or add to your fave whiskey cocktail. Perhaps add a little honey intrigue to your next Whiskey Sour? Think about it.
Click image to shop
Click image to shop
3. Ole Smoky Tennessee Salty Caramel Liqueur
Um, excuse us. How delicious does even just the name of Ole Smoky Tennessee Salty Caramel Liqueur sound? Not just caramelly, not just smoky, but salted too? Scrumptious. It’s like a little wrapped caramel candy turned into a delectable drink.
There’s still some whiskey notes coming through, but it’s light and in balance with its sweeter side. And it’s not too intense, for those of you who aren’t fond of a strong whiskey flavour. To serve, you can have this guy neat or on the rocks, mix it up in an Espresso Martini for a salted caramel twist, or drizzle it over your affogato. Yum!
4. Howler Head Kentucky Banana Bourbon
Bourbon’s gone bananas. This addition to the Howler Head collection – the Kentucky Banana Bourbon – is bold, bourbon-y and yep, as the name suggests, banana-y. It’s still got those beautiful whiskey flavours to it – the caramel and oak, but infused with natural banana flavours to give it a sweet and fruity flex.
You can drink this one neat or on the rocks, but maybe have a go mixing it up in an Old Fashioned – just substitute the whiskey for your new favourite banana bonanza.
Click image to shop
Click image to shop
5. Hochstadter’s Slow And Low Rock and Rye Coffee Old-Fashioned
This isn’t a liqueur, it’s actually a batched cocktail. And it’s full of beautiful rye and coffee flavours. According to Hochstadter’s, this Slow and Low Rock and Rye Coffee Old Fashioned is their take on the famous New Orleans cocktail, the Café Brûlot.
The traditional cocktail is a fiery blend of cherry brandy, Cognac, coffee, dark sugar, cloves, orange zest and cinnamon, among other things, and the OG is served hot. But with this little bottle, they suggest just mixing it up with some ice. And hey presto, you have a bar-quality cocktail at home.
1. Is flavoured whiskey good for people who don't like whiskey?
Flavoured whiskey is a great alternative for someone who doesn't like the traditional whiskey's dry intense flavour.
2. What flavoured whiskey is best for someone who doesn't like whiskey?
Look to the sweeter styles as a starting point, like Wild Turkey American Honey for its honey flavours, Salty Caramel Liqueur or a fruity style like Howler Head Banana Bourbon.
3. What is the best way to drink flavoured whiskey?
Flavoured whiskeys are excellent on their own, served neat or simply on ice. But feel free to add soda water to the mix or use them in place of regular whiskey in your favourite cocktails.
