Does your personality determine what flavours you prefer? And is there a way to predict the perfect whisky flavour for someone?

Those are the questions Dr Adam Moore and The Scotch Malt Whisky Society  (SMWS) hope to answer with the launch of their Flavour Behaviour Test.

The psychometric test, which matches personality types to flavours of whisky, is the result of a six-month international scientific study carried out by Dr Moore, a psychologist and research scientist based at the University of Edinburgh*, and the SMWS. You can take the test here.

To create the predictive test, Dr Moore and the SMWS conducted quantative research with more than 300 volunteers at tasting events in Edinburgh, London, Islay, Washington D.C., Vancouver and Melbourne.

Each volunteer answered a personality test measuring the ‘Big 5’ personality dimensions (Openness to Experience, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, Neuroticism). They then rated the 12 core flavours found in whisky by the experts at the SMWS such as sweet, fruity and mellow; light and delicate; juicy, oak and vanilla; oily and coastal; and heavily peated.

Personality pairs with flavour preferences

Dr Moore analysed the data from the test events and discovered some fascinating correlations between personality and flavour preferences. He used these findings to create an algorithm that analyses answers to the Flavour Behaviour questionnaire to predict which whisky flavours are suited to different personality types.

Dr Adam Moore said: ‘This has been a particularly exciting research study to be involved in as taste is the least understood of our senses, and this is the first project I’m aware of that has investigated the links between personality traits and preferences for whisky flavours.

‘Together with the Society, we’ve used decision-making science and psychometric techniques to gather data from research events around the world to create this test, which we hope will help people to find the perfect whisky for them.’

Perfect whisky for everyone

Helen Stewart, Senior Brand Manager at the SMWS, said: ‘At the Society, we explore the kaleidoscope of flavours in the whisky spectrum, rather than follow the traditional notions of whisky regions or distillery brands.

‘We believe there is a perfect whisky flavour out there for everyone. The Flavour Behaviour Test is a fun and scientifically researched way to help with that search for the perfect dram.’

In the interests of transparency, this 5pm Dining blogger had a small role in creating the questionnaire. I did the test today and it turns out that I am The Perfect Norm and my perfect whisky will probably have the following characteristics/flavours: juicy, oak and vanilla.

Apparently, I have a ‘very moderate character with no one clear dominant personality trait’. This may be complimentary although I suspect it means that I am boring.

You can do the test online or you could buy a ticket for this Fringe event in the SMWS on Edinburgh’s Queen Street.

Ticket holders will be invited to take the personality test with a Scottish Malt Whiskies Professor and enjoy three single cask drams that best suit your personality.

*Project not in official association with the University of Edinburgh