Johnett Swiss Single Malt Whisky

This is an interesting and uncommon spirit, which we had the pleasure of trying during a recent Swiss Air flight. It's produced by a Swiss distillery with a long history in fruit liqueurs before recently entering the whiskey market. The version sampled on the plane was six years old, indicating it's one of the distillery's more mature offerings. It is very fruity, featuring abundant grapefruit, fresh melon, and strawberry. The aroma evokes the section of a candy shop filled with vibrant, colorful confections. The taste mirrors the fruity nose but includes a surprisingly prominent oak presence and a hint of lemongrass. It's evident this spirit is young and requires additional aging to reach its full potential, as the flavors are not yet fully integrated. The finish echoes the vanilla and oak notes found in young bourbon. I'm eager to sample the ten or twelve-year-old versions when they are available. If fractional ratings were possible, this would be a 3.5, but I'm rounding up due to the novelty of experiencing Swiss whiskey and the pleasant surprise it offered.