4 Great Ways to Pair Chocolate & Bourbon
Some things go together so well that it’s hard to go too far wrong with a pairing. Bourbon and chocolate are, in my opinion, two things that this applies to. But a little bit of planning can make the pairing extra special. Here are some ideas to keep in mind the next time that you’re sitting down with a bourbon dram and a sweet treat.
Dark Chocolate & Bourbons Aged in Wine Casks
All bourbons that are sold as Kentucky straight must have spent a minimum of two years in new, charred oak barrels. But some bourbons have been aged for longer, which can further develop the bourbon’s unique aroma and flavor. Sometimes, bourbon is aged in a barrel that was previously used for something else. For example, Angel’s Envy is finished in ruby port wine casks. Consider pairing a bourbon such as this with a darker, bitter chocolate such as Green and Black’s Intense Dark, which is made with 70% cocoa. An organic dark chocolate like this one will provide perfect contrast with the sweetness of this bourbon.
Another example of a bourbon aged in wine casks is Tommyrotter. “When we were thinking of how we might be able to modify a bourbon for the better, we were thinking of flavor pairings and which foods go well together,” says Bobby Finan, master distiller and partner at Tommyrotter Distillery. He thought it would work will to combine the caramel, vanilla, and burnt sugar flavors that can be found in bourbon with dark fruit, which are notes that can be pulled from the Cabernet Sauvignon barrels that the distillery uses to finish the bourbon in. I found that pairing this bourbon with Chocolove Raspberries in Dark Chocolate brought to the fore that perfect synergy of brown sugar and fruity notes.
Milk Chocolate & High Rye Bourbon
The contrast of sugar and spice is a no-brainer when it comes to food and drink pairings, and if you’re a fan of milk chocolate, looking for high-rye bourbons is a great place to start with this. One example is Rabbit Hole’s Heigold, which has pepper and baking spice notes, and a smooth, rounded finish. A sweeter, creamier milk chocolate such as Chocolove Milk Chocolate pairs well. “I love pairing whiskey and food to create a unique sensory experience,” says Kaveh Zamanian, founder and whiskey maker of Rabbit Hole. “I particularly enjoy bringing seemingly contradictory flavors together.” He points to the example of the toasted malt notes and peppery spice of Heigold, paired with sweetness. The malted rye used in Heigold is sourced from one of the oldest and storied malting houses in Germany and has notes of toffee and Nutella.
Nutty Chocolate & Wheated Bourbon
Wheated bourbons are those for which wheat is the secondary grain. Larceny is one example. I found that milk chocolate covered nuts worked well alongside the toffee notes in the bourbon, complimenting the bready, savory aroma and finish.
Another great wheated bourbon to enjoy with nutty chocolate is Old Elk Wheated Bourbon. Maple and caramel aromas lead into a smooth, multi-layered finish with a touch of vanilla. I found that a darker chocolate was the best pair with this. Endangered Species hazelnut toffee dark chocolate provided perfect balance, with the bitterness from the 72% cocoa chocolate complimenting the sweeter notes in the bourbon.
Intense Sweet Savory Chocolate & High Proof Bourbon
Salted caramel chocolate is one of my favorite treats, but it can be cloying. A bourbon with the oomph to cut through the intense sweetness of the caramel is ideal. I enjoyed the Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond bourbon. To be labeled as Bottled-in-Bond, bourbon must meet exacting standards, including being aged at least four years, and being bottled at exactly 100 proof, or 50% ABV. The notes of vanilla, oak, and subtle rye spice worked great alongside Endangered Species caramel and sea salt dark chocolate.