Pairing Chocolate and Whiskey

The More-Complex Liquor

As one of the more complicated liquors, whiskey includes a variety of spirits under the “umbrella term,” including Scotch, Bourbon & Rye to name a few. Whiskey is distilled from malted grains which vary by style, and can include a mixture of corn, rye, wheat, barley, etc. The flavor profile yields notes of roasted, malted grain with oak undertones, but of course, each style has their own characteristics.

The location of the spirit’s craft is a factor in what name will be deemed suitable. Scotch and Whiskey come from Scotland, while Bourbon is American-made. The ingredients also play a role, for example Bourbon must be 51% corn, have no additives (such as sugar), barreled at 125-proof or less, and aged in a new-charred oak barrel to be deemed a “Bourbon.” In contrast, Rye must be crafted with 51%+ rye grain.

The velvet smoky characteristic of whiskey tends to pair well with a higher cocoa content; American Whiskey made in American Oak tends to have strong vanilla notes, a flavor that likes to mingle with dark chocolate. Milk chocolate can highlight the spicy kick of whiskey, and dark can be softened by the sweetness of an ages whiskey; smokey Dram works well with white chocolate.

Shop our suggested selections below via our "build your own tasting flight" option to host your own chocolate and liquor pairing. Please keep in mind, all pairings are subjective person-to-person, and these are mere suggestions to help get you started to find your favorite pairings. Want to share your initial thoughts or your favorite pairings? Let us know here!