Pairing Artisanal Cheese with Single Malt Scotch Whiskies at The Castle
The romance and delicious thrill of pairing artisanal cheeses with
Single Malt Scotch Whiskies will become evident when you taste them.
But, tasting the cheeses of Sartori Reserve in a castle right in the
Hollywood hills…this added another dose of romance for the evening’s
pleasures.
The Cheese Impresario and her Tasting Panel were invited to explore a
selection of cheeses from Wisconsin’s Sartori Reserve paired with a
selection of Single Malt Scotch Whiskies. This pairing adventure was an
evening I was so looking forward to. And now, instead of the enticing
homework taking place in my living room, we ended up enjoying the
beautiful cheeses and Whiskies at a grand table sitting in King’s chairs
in a home built like a castle with all the trimmings. Castle Ivar owner,
Jimmy Maslon and Zoe Alexander, Senior Correspondent for TV Guide
Magazine certainly set the stage for this ultra tasty experience.
I’ve been fascinated about how beautifully Sartori’s SarVecchio Parmesan
works with Scotch. In fact, I paired this cheese with this liquid
libation in New York at the 2008 Star Chefs International Chefs
Congress. The chefs went mad over the combination. Now I wanted to drill
down and savor more of Sartori’s cheeses with Single Malts.
Sartori’s entire line of BellaVitano cheeses totally rocked with the
Scotches. This unique-in-the-world cheese’s fruity flavor, creaminess
and complexity beautifully pave the way for the Scotch. What you get is
pure heaven. I’ve included several of my favorite pairings so you can
enjoy these with your friends and family:
BellaVitano Gold paired with Springbank 15-Year Old
Campbeltown is known for robust Scotches and this beauty is finished in
60% Sherry casks and 40% Bourbon casks.
For a fun and delicious tasting methodology, take a nice sized bite of
the BellaVitano Gold and savor it in your mouth making a Cheese Highway
on your tongue. Now drink a nice sip of your Springbank and as the
Scotch rolls down The Cheese Highway™, you will get the magic of this
pairing throughout your mouth, tongue and up into your smelling senses.
Wait for the Scotch’s sweetness and big flavor along with the 46%
alcohol to meld with the flavors in the cheese that accent and actually
lengthen the Scotch’s finish of figs, vanilla and dark chocolate. Relax
and enjoy the long finish of the cheese as it dances with the Scotch and
as you go on a nice long ride down The Cheese Highway.
SarVecchio Parmesan is also fabulous with this Scotch. The nuttiness of
the cheese enhances the Sherryness of this Scotch. The sweetness comes
flying through as both dance together.
Sartori & Single Malts
Black Pepper BellaVitano paired with Longrow 10-Year Old
The Scotch is made at the Springbank distillery once a year in
Campbeltown. It’s aged in both Sherry and Bourbon casks after maturing
that provide a platform for the gentle smokiness and peatiness people
love. The black pepper and the full flavors BellaVitano balanced the
full flavors of the Scotch to make a memorable pairing. Peat with pepper
is a dynamite contrast to the sweet vanilla and sweet nut flavors of
Scotch and cheese. This Single Malt can handle two bites of cheese to
each sip. Pay attention to the flavors that have staying power in
both…this pairing will surely create great conversation as the
complexities reveal themselves.
Raspberry BellaVitano paired with Glenmorangie Nectar d’or
This Highlands Scotch is finished in barrels that previously held the
famous Nectar d’or Sauternes wine. The beautifully sweet finish of the
Scotch brought out the complex raspberry and sweetness of the cheese.
This was just a spectacular pairing of like flavors with like flavors. I
also crave this Scotch enjoyed with the sweet nuttiness of SarVecchio
Parmesan.
Merlot BellaVitano paired with Springbank 10-Year Old<
The rich character of the BellaVitano soaked in Merlot is a thrill with
the rich character of this 10-Year Scotch. The Single Malt is finished
70% in Bourbon casks and 30% in Sherry casks resulting a full flavored
tasting experience. This pairing did surprise me as I thought the Merlot
notes would interfere with the Scotch notes. They really put each other
on a pedestal for a really terrific experience.
There are so many Single Malt Scotch Whiskies that will give you
pleasure while eating Sartori’s artisanal cheeses. Once you begin this
journey of flavors you’ll want to continue your travels down The Cheese
Highway. It’s much like music appreciation. Once you learn to listen,
you hear so much more.
Enjoy!