Whisky and chocolate are a perfect pairing, and I love both, so I was delighted when House of Hazelwood invited me to try some of their rarest whiskies with some delicious mouthwatering chocolate.
House of Hazelwood creates sublime whisky, and they asked an award-winning Chocolatier from the Highlands, Mr Iain Burnett, to create a bespoke chocolate pairing for four of the distillery's rarest whiskies.
Iain recommends the following instructions when sampling whisky and chocolate together:
Nose the whisky with your mouth a little open to allow the full aroma to circulate.
Immediately bite off a little of the Velvet Truffle and let it warm up in your mouth.
Take time to enjoy the texture, initial, primary and after-tastes.
When you nose the whisky the second time, notice which aromas and flavours now come to the fore.
Finally take a sip of the whisky to compare the texture.
The Transatlantic, 33-Year-Old Blended Grain Scotch Whisky, paired with Milk Velvet Truffle
Fresh Scottish cream is meticulously combined with caramel-noted couverture to bring out the buttery popcorn notes of this Blended Grain Scotch Whisky and match its creamy texture.
Extend the experience by layering your tasting experience with a White Lime & Hint of Chilli Velvet Truffle to bring out the fresh wood and pencil shavings found within the whisky and more sweet candy corn. Finally, linger on the remainder of your glass with a Pure Caramelised Ganache Velvet Truffle – this parting chocolate with emphasise the candied sweets and golden syrup waiting within.
The Transatlantic, 33-Year-Old Blended Grain Scotch Whisky, 57.3% ABV, 291 bottles worldwide, UK RRSP £1,300
The Old Ways, 1972 Vintage Single Grain Scotch Whisky, paired with Dark Velvet Truffle
This famously rich dark chocolate ganache of fruity São Tomé Island provenance brings out the dark muscovado sugar and stewed fruit notes of this Single Grain Scotch Whisky. With the Raspberry and Black Pepper Velvet Truffle, the ripe rhubarb continues, emphasising the fruit coulis and, interestingly, more of the oily wax-like character.
The Old Ways, 1972 Vintage Single Grain Scotch Whisky, 50.1% ABV, 123 bottles worldwide, UK RRSP £3,500
The Long Marriage, 56-Year-Old Blended Scotch Whisky, paired with Assam Tea and Sweet Spice Velvet Truffle
Fresh cream from a single herd of Friesians is infused with sweet and warming spices to match not just the creamy texture of the whisky but to entice out gentle spice notes and complement the rich fruitiness found in sherry casks. The flight continues with a Cinnamon and Clove Velvet Praline, celebrating a sweeter cinnamon expression and emphasising the paraffin character. This vertical flight finishes on the Orange and Hint-of-Clove Velvet Truffle to bring to the fore yet more fruit and subtle spice.
The Long Marriage, 56-Year-Old Blended Scotch Whisky, 48.7% ABV, 288 bottles worldwide, UK RRSP £4,000
Queen of the Hebrides, 36-Year-Old Islay Blended Malt Scotch Whisky, paired with Lemongrass and Hint-of-Lime Velvet Praline
An unusual infusion of lemongrass and the hint of citrus in this gianduja of caramelised hazelnut creates an exceptional pairing with the outstanding qualities of the Queen of the Hebrides - yuzu citrus comes to the fore, with a background of maple syrup over bacon. We return to the spiced cocoa of São Tomé in the Dark Velvet Truffle to enhance the phenolic notes of charcoal, cigar smoke and toasted oak.
Queen of the Hebrides, 36-Year-Old Islay Blended Malt Scotch Whisky, 43.4% ABV, 274 bottles worldwide, UK RRSP £2,000
House of Hazelwood’s whiskies can be purchased from www.houseofhazelwood.com or specialist retailers, such as Hedonism and Harrods. Iain Burnett’s chocolates can be purchased from www.highlandchocolatier.com in packages of two, four or more – pick your own boxes and a wide range of other options. The butterfly box of two chocolates costs £5.25 for two or £10.95 for four.
St. Patricks Day in London is a vibrant celebration of Irish culture, music, and, of course, some of the finest pints of Guinness youll find outside of Dublin.
