LCBO Food & Drink Holiday 2022

A BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO SCOTCH

Scotch and Chocolate Pairing

ACHIEVE PEAT PERFORMANCE Get the most from heavily peated Scotch by experimenting with creative new concoctions.

This kind of matchmaking may seem surprising, but there are lots of unexpected delights to come from enjoying the pronounced notes in Scotch—like toffee, vanilla, bitter and smoky—with the flavours to be found in chocolates. Consider these combos for a unique gift or as an elegant end to a holiday feast. We’ve featured exceptional local confections, but feel free to experiment with whatever is on hand.

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Add a splash of Scotch to rich simple syrup (made using two parts sugar to one part water). Try using it in an Old Fashioned or Champagne cocktail for added complexity.

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Young, smooth single-malts or blends Chocolates featuring dried fruits or citrus

Scotches with vanilla and woody, oaky notes

Peaty Scotch

Boldly flavoured chocolates like those infused with tea or flecked with ginger

Classic dark chocolates that could include vanilla, salt, nuts, caramel or toffee

3. Mon Cherry D’Amour Stone Ground Dark Chocolate by Chocosol, Toronto 4. Birch Dark Chocolate Branch Filled with Hazelnut Praline & Sour Cherry Jam by Soma Chocolate Maker, Toronto MORE TO TRY › Candied Corsican Orange Slices Dipped in Dark Chocolate and Chocolate Co. Blood Orange & Rosemary by Centre & Main, Warkworth › Dark Chocolate with Fruit by Raven Rising, Sudbury

5. Matcha White Chocolate + Strawberry by Madam Bon Bon, Hamilton 6. Australian Ginger tumbled in Dark Chocolate by Soma Chocolate Maker, Toronto MORE TO TRY › Candied Ginger 60.1% Dark Chocolate by Alicja Confections, Ottawa

For an aromatic cocktail, swirl your glass with a few drops of Scotch before pouring in a cocktail like a Manhattan or Martinez.

1. Fleur de Sel Dark Chocolate by Hummingbird, Almonte

2. Dominican 70% Dark Chocolate and Guatemala 68% Dark Chocolate by Soul Roasters, Toronto MORE TO TRY › Chocolates Salty Almond by Sweetness, Windsor

For a Scotch-based cocktail like the Rusty Nail, try using a combination of lighter-flavoured Scotch and peaty Scotch.

Give the gift of an at-home armchair whisky adventure, where Scotch lovers can sip their way through the isles with the Regions of Scotland Whisky Tasting Set (LCBO 21714, 5 x 30 mL, $69.95) . On Our Wish List

ILLUSTRATIONS BY DAVID SPARSHOTT

118 FOOD & DRINK HOLIDAY 2022