SCA de Briat
Scotland
Did you know it's possible for a whisky maker to create a dram that tastes like chocolate? Without flavouring, we mean. That's what Douglas Laing does every year with The Chocolate Edition, selecting certain Speyside single malt Scotch whiskies aged in Pedro Ximénez and oloroso sherry casks to ramp up the richer, more chocolatey elements of the blend.
The sixth annual release of the Chocolate Edition is presented as they all are: at a high alcohol strength (48% ABV) without colouring or chill-filtration. Unique to the 2023 edition, however, is a hand-drawn illustration on the label from Douglas Laing’s head of creative, Claire Coetzee. You've gotta love that Fox Terrier.
It really is very chocolatey, like a posh truffle with some hot chocolate powder for good measure. Cinnamon buns, salted caramel sauce, syrupy black fruits, and a little red chilli earthiness.
Viscous without being cloying or too sweet, the palate opens with a big dusting of cacao powder and a nuttiness that reminds me of Nutella. Then there’s orange oil, burnt brown sugar, prune, raspberry, and vanilla.
Baking spices, creamy nuttiness, toasted oak, and a final touch of chocolate ice cream with a pinch of sea salt.
It’s more rich than sweet, but there’s no mistaking there’s lots of chocolate in this. It’s not one dimensional, though, there’s dark fruit, a creamy nuttiness, aromatic baking spices, and a little earthy heat that adds a very nice depth. This is an enjoyable concept and that joy is matched by the whisky in the glass. I would highly recommend selecting several nice chocolate bars from the supermarket, getting a bottle of this, and hosting a super little pairing party. Doesn’t that sound like fun?
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Buttery with orange zest and sandalwood, leading into sultanas, macadamia nuts and nutmeg with just a hint of spicy cinnamon.
What a cracker this one is and I do indeed detect the rich cocoa chocolate flavour
A very tasty and drinkable sherried whisky. Has good body and a lip-smacking drinkability due to the absence of heat, pepper etc. Lovely stuff.
Just lovely. Perfect companion for those winter nights on the run up to Christmas. Smooth, sweet, with that dark chocolate slightly bitter taste on the finish. A nose like end of shift in a Wonka factory. Best served next to an open fire, roasting you chestnuts.
I was gifted this for my 30th birthday and it's absolutely fantastic
