Flavour Wheels

Destillate Aromaraeder

What is a flavour wheel?

In order to allow a more accurate description of the range of flavours of various distillates, Agroscope has developed flavour wheels.  Their common vocabulary is intended to facilitate the tasting and describing processes. A standardised method with objective criteria increases the accuracy of the sensory description, as well as enhancing the competence of the panelist.


The steps of the flavour wheel

The flavour wheel consists of three concentric circles. These are broken down according to colour into various flavour categories such as ‘fruity’, ‘flowery’, ‘herbal’, etc. In the inner circle, some of these categories are broken down into subcategories such as ‘stone fruit’, ‘berries’, ‘citrus’, ‘exotic’, etc. The outer circle contains 65 individual attributes that are uniquely characterised with flavour references.  They provide reference points for the variety of flavours of the various distillates, and help to create a flavour profile for each spirit. 

Flavour Wheel for Grappa & Marc

The flavour wheel for distillates consists of three concentric circles. These are divided into seven flavour categories (denoted by colour): fruity, spicy, herbal, roasted, floral, off-flavours and palate. In the inner circle, these categories are broken down into subcategories such as green/woody, stone fruit, berries etc. The outer circle contains 68 unique attributes which are characterised by distinctive flavour references. They provide reference points for the great variety of flavours found in the various distillates and help to create a flavour profile for each spirit.


Flavour Wheel for Gin

Flavour Wheel for Gin

This flavour wheel consists of three concentric circles. These are separated by colour into six flavour categories: Vegetable, Spicy, Fruity, Floral, Off-flavours and Taste. In the inner circle, these categories are partly divided into respective sub-categories such as Herbs, Woody, etc. The outer circle contains 58 individual attributes, which can be unmistakably characterized with aroma references. They provide clues to the aroma diversity of the various distillates and help to create an individual flavour profile for each gin.


Flavour Wheel for Kirsch

Aromarad Kirsch de

The flavour wheel for Kirsch consists of three concentric circles. These circles are divided into seven flavour categories (separated by color): fruity, floral, vegetable, spicy, roasted, off-flavours and taste. In the inner circle these categories are divided into respective sub-categories such as stone fruit, berries, citrus, etc. The outer circle consists of 65 unique attributes, which are characterized by flavour references. They provide evidence of the great diversity of flavours and tastes in different distillates and help generate individual flavour profiles for each Kirsch.


Flavour Wheel for Plum and Mirabelle Prune Distillates

Aromarad Zwetschgen

This flavour wheel consists of three concentric circles. These circles are divided into eight flavour categories (separated by color): fruity, floral, vegetable, spicy, fatty, roasted, off-flavours and taste. In the inner circle these categories are divided into respective sub-categories such as stone fruit, berries, citrus, etc. The outer circle consists of 65 unique attributes, which are characterized by flavour references. They provide evidence of the great diversity of flavours and tastes in plum and mirabelle prune distillates and help generate individual flavour profiles for each variety.


Flavour Wheel for Apple Juice and Cider

Aromarad Apfelwein

In order to better characterize the diversity of Swiss apple juice and cider, Agroscope has developed a flavour wheel in collaboration with the Swiss Fruit Association. The common vocabulary facilitates the description and tasting. A standardized system with objective criteria increases the accuracy of the sensory description and enhances the competence of the panelist.


Flavour Wheel for Whisky

Aromarad Whisky

In order to better characterize the Whisky-diversity produced in the alpine region, Agroscope has developed this flavor wheel for whisky. The common vocabulary facilitates the description and tasting. A standardized system with objective criteria increases the accuracy of the sensory description and enhances the competence of the panelist.


Flavour Wheel for Absinthe

Aromarad Absinth

In order to better characterize the Absinthe- diversity produced in Switzerland, Agroscope has developed this  avor wheel for Absinthe. The common vocabulary facilitates the description and tasting. A standardized system with objective criteria increases the accuracy of the sensory description and enhances the competence of the panelist.