Five Perfect Drink and Chocolate Pairings from Northern Scotland

The far north of Scotland is home to many quality and innovative drinks, produced with care and craftsmanship. I have picked five of my favourites that I think pair with the Caithness Chocolate range.  Obviously, I think chocolate goes well with everything, but I think it works especially well with these local drinks, creating delicious combinations.

1) Old Pulteney 12 Year Old Whisky and white chocolate drops. Based in Wick, Old Pulteney is celebrating its 200th anniversary this year and has some incredible drams. I like to pair its 12 year old whisky with white chocolate drops. The whisky is creamy and rich with a hint of salinity and works with the chocolate to create a sweet vanilla combination made in heaven (and Wick!).

2) 8 Doors Distillery 5 Ways Whisky Liqueur and Turkish delight. 8 Doors Distillery’s multiple award winning 5 Ways Liqueur is crafted in John O’ Groats, in the most northerly whisky distillery on the mainland. It marries whisky with orange, ginger, honey and spice to create a remarkable drink. I like to enjoy it neat over ice, with a piece of Turkish delight to accompany it. I like the contrasting textures,io and the fruity and floral tones of the Turkish delight elevates the citrus in the liqueur.

3) Wolfburn 12 Year Old Whisky and toasted walnut and smoked salt Medjool date. Thurso’s Wolfburn Distillery’s 12 Year Old malt has gentle toffee and caramel notes and a subtle hint of peat smoke.  It makes a fine accompaniment to the smoked salt, sweetness and mouthfeel of the date. Alcohol, sugar, fat and salt - perfect!

4) Rock Rose pink grapefruit gin and raspberry dark chocolate bar. Dunnet Bay Distillery has incredible views and distils incredible spirits. My favourite is the bright and zesty pink grapefruit gin and I think it works well with a dark chocolate raspberry bar. The tartness of the raspberries combines with the rich, slightly bitter notes of the 55% dark chocolate to lift the grapefruit flavour. I love it with tonic and grapefruit peel to garnish, but it’s so smooth it can be enjoyed on its own over ice.

5) Orkney Roastery Coffee Aria Overture and croissant caramelised white chocolate bar. Across the Pentland Firth there is a great coffee company called the Orkney Roastery and they produce a coffee that I love - the Aria Overture blend. It has a lovely rounded caramel flavour which I like to savour with the crunch and buttery taste of the croissant bar. The French knew what they were doing when they put coffee and croissants together!

With such a wealth of interesting drinks producers, you are sure to enjoy your drink, however you pair it.