Whisky & Chocolate 101 – The Spirit of Chocolate

whisky chocolateChocolate or Whisky are a match made in heaven.  Learn how chocolate is different depending on the bean, where it’s from, & who makes it into chocolate. Whisky expert Marcus Von Albrecht will guide you through the wide range of whiskies from beginner to super-peaty as you sample amazing chocolate! GLV

Perfect pairings with Marcus Von Albrecht & XOXOLAT 

Date:             Mar.14th
Time:            6:00-8:00pm
Where:         1271 Homer Street Vancouver
Cost:             $35/person

Call 604-733-2462 to reserve

Bowmore 1995, 17 yr old, 46%

Nose:Amazingly… Maple syrup, with smoke and caramel.

Palate:  This one has more smoke than the 12 or 15. It also seems fairly complex, there’s fresh cut grass, and

Finish:Medium length, warming and semi-smooth.

Cardamom Crème Brulée

An – Creme Brulee might go with anything. This upgrade on the classic adds white chocolate & not-so-subtle spice of cardamom to bring out the inherent characteristic of this Bowmore.

Benrinnes 1997 / 15 Yrs Old / 40% Vol Highland

Neighbour to Glenfarclus, Dalwaine- malt of choice over Glendullen

Nose: Sweet and sherried. Fruity with a hint of smoke. Very appealing from the start. Maggi? Stock cubes. Plenty of the lovely ‘organics’ that I love in some sherried malts. Furniture wax. Old fruits. Grows very rich and complex. Exquisite! Powerful too. Amazing! Wood (wet, dead oak burning in the autumn). With a drop of water the nose improves even further.

Taste: Sherried with notable leathery notes. Bittersweet. Sherry dryness with smooth episodes. Very nice. Oaky and smoky. Orange. Long, dry finish with sherry moving back and forth. For a long time my first ever whisky from Benrinnes remained my favourite.

WestCoast Breakfast (Bacon) Chocolate
To match the most intense of whiskeys, this Triple Smoked, Maple Caramelized Bacon is infused with a wee shot of espresso into a dark milk chocolate. Sit back & enjoy the wonderful balance of sweet and salty.

Mortlach 20yr old – ‘Sherry Cask’– 46% vol.    Speyside  360 bottles worldwide

Nose: Rich sherry notes. Polished oak. Stewed fruits

Mouth: Full bodied. Malty and sweet. Raisins and roasted nuts. As well Spice and tobacco create a nice richness and a very great pleasure

Finish: Smooth and very long. Nice sherry notes contribute to the prolonging of the pleasure. Character and balance; An excellent bottle

Xoxolat -Venezuela Origin

This Venezuela bean is a rich and smooth chocolate with natural flavour notes of red fruit (such as plum or cherry) with slight smoky and woody notes & a hint of raisin note.

Caol Ila 29yr old – Islay

Nose: Powerful with tar, and leathery smokiness combined with peat.

Taste: Dry, smokiness is replaced with a heated leathery earthiness and a saltiness of the sea that fills your entire mouth.

Finish: Long & smooth with smokiness and medicinal notes resonating throughout

“A true Islay whisky for those who wish to uncover all the unique characteristics of this smoky, peaty earthy powerhouse.

Papua New Guinea 70% -Single origin

Bold roast, earth & wood notes yield to nuts, red fruit & a hint of smoke. This full-bodied chocolate conjures up the warmth of a library hearth, with whisky in one hand, chocolate in the other & great company to share it all.