The Science Of Smoke: How Peat In Scotch Whisky Influences Food Pairings
Scotch whisky – known for its robust flavour and smoky, peaty finish characteristic of the clayey soil found in the Highlands – is often paired with grilled and charred foods, creamy desserts and smoked cheeses. It is a liquor whose pronounced smoky notes are crucial to its pairings with different culinary delicacies. While Scotch goes well with grilled meats or a smoky blue cheese, it is also an excellent pairing with creamy desserts which match the deep flavours of spirit.
It is only evident then that the smoky notes not only complement the different flavours in spicy, sweet and creamy foods but are also instrumental in bringing out rounded, full-bodied tastes of the whole pairing.
Here’s how the tasting notes of different kinds of foods paired with Scotch are influenced as a result of the complementing or contrasting notes of a premium smoky whisky:
Smoked And Grilled Foods
Charred and grilled foods like barbecued chicken or lamb kebabs have an inherently charcoal-like, smoky finish. The peaty flavours in a premium Scotch whisky complement these notes to highlight this flavour element in the pairing. As well, such a smoky, peaty whisky also brings out the gaminess of a lamb dish and the spices in a grilled chicken recipe in turn highlight the Scotch’s smoky flavours.
To try out this pairing, one can source a bottle of premium Scotch whiskies, for example, Johnnie Walker’s range. Among these multiple options, a bottle of 750 ml premium Johnnie Walker Black Label is available in the price range of Rs. 3000 to Rs. 4000 across cities like Delhi, Gurgaon, Noida, Maharashtra and West Bengal that can be purchased for a barbecue to pair the smoky whisky and grilled meats for serving 12-15 guests.
Spicy And Robust Flavours
Another element of a smoky, peaty whisky is that it builds on the spicy flavours of curries and spicy sauces such as a Kashmiri rogan josh or cajun spiced chicken. This spiciness characteristic of these recipes is suitably complemented by a 30 ml serve of premium whisky like Johnnie Walker Gold Label. Among these multiple options, a bottle of 750 ml premium Johnnie Walker Gold Label is available in the price range of Rs. 5000 to Rs. 7000 across cities like Delhi, Gurgaon, Noida, Maharashtra and West Bengal for a dinner catering to 15-20 guests. Peaty notes undercut some of the more pronounced spices in the dishes with their smoky and tart flavours, to bring about a balanced feel into the combination.
Cheeses And Peaty Notes
Another noteworthy characteristic of a peaty Scotch whisky is that it suitably accompanies the creamy profile of different cheeses like aged cheddar or smoked blue cheese. The peaty quality and smoky texture of the whisky cuts through the fattiness in the cheese to highlight its creamy and even pungent flavours. At a cocktail gathering, you can try this combination by serving a cheese board with premium whiskies like Johnnie Walker and others. One such option is the 750 ml bottle of Johnnie Walker Blue Label which can be purchased in the price range of Rs. 15000 to Rs. 20000 across cities like Delhi, Gurgaon, Noida, Maharashtra and West Bengal for serving 15-20 guests.
Creamy And Rich Desserts
The smoky elements in Scotch also have a role to play in their pairings with desserts. Certain sweet dishes like dark chocolate ganache or a creamy cheesecake or even a crème brûlée are often paired with Scotch whisky because some of their chocolatey, caramelised flavours are undercut by the smokiness and tart taste of the Scotch to bring about a fine flavour balance. The tasting notes of bitter chocolate in desserts are highlighted because of the depth of a peaty Scotch so that its smoky flavours become integral to pairing it with such dark chocolate based sweets.
Note: Price points mentioned above are applicable only to the following places: Delhi, Gurgaon, Noida, Maharashtra and West Bengal. Price points are indicative only and subject to change according to local liquor laws.
Also Read: World Cocktail Day: 5 Easy Food Pairings That Go With Your Drinks
Drink Responsibly. This communication is for audiences above the age of 25.
