.Forget cheese and wine, enjoy a dram with your cheese board
Pairing the award-winning cheese and whisky of the Isle of Arran
As we head into winter and the days get shorter, one thing is certain; cheese knives around the country will be dusted off for the forthcoming seasonal indulgence. Before you reach for your favourite bottle of plonk, however, it could be time for a change.
The award-winning Scotch whisky producer, Isle of Arran Distillers have produced three cask matured whiskies which will liven up any cheese board.
First up is the bold Arran Malt Port Finish (£42.99). After initially maturing in traditional oak casks for approximately eight years, The Arran Single Malt is finished in a selection of Port casks sourced from an artisan producer of the Portuguese fortified wine.
The end result is a Single Malt full of charm, complexity and quality. Left to rest amongst the rich flavours of the Port-infused oak cask, this scotch is packed full of the wintery tastes of cinnamon, baked apples and plums – ideal for Christmas parties.
And it is the perfect bedfellow for the strong, yet sweet flavoured Caramelised Onion Cheese (£4.50), produced by the distillery’s neighbours; The Island Cheese Company. This slow matured Scottish Cheddar is combined with Arran Fine Foods’ Caramelised Onion. Its sweetness balances the rich fruity full flavoured Port Cask Finish.
The room falls silent as the dangerously drinkable Amarone Cask Finish (£42.99) enters the festivities. As the name suggests, this offering sees Arran’s Single Malt soaking up the characteristics of the full bodied Italian red, made using partially dried Corvina grapes, Rondinella grapes and Molinara.
An altogether sweeter partner, it compliments Arran’s inherently citrusy taste and therefore is in need of a cheese that packs a hint of sharpness. Time for a taste of Crushed Stem Ginger Flavoured Cheddar (£4.50). The nip of ginger in this slow matured cheese is just enough to balance the light and fruity Amarone flavours.
Prefer a lighter dram? Introducing the Arran Malt Sauternes Finish (£42.99). Aged with the legendary Bordeaux sweet white wine it has an initial hint of acacia honey, which then opens up to apricots, bananas and pears.
A dessert in a glass, with a floral elegance. You’ll need a bolder cheese to take on the ever so delicate honeyed sweetness. Oak Smoked Cheddar provides that balance. A deliciously creamy cheddar, smoked slowly over oak whisky barrel shavings, it packs the punch needed to compliment the fruity sweetness in the Sauternes Finish Single Malt.
James McTaggart, Arran’s Master Distiller, said: “We’re really proud of the results of our whisky which is married with wine casks. Whisky purists should rest assured, as we always closely monitor the secondary maturation process, to ensure the perfect balance is struck between the casks and the intrinsic sweet-fruity character of The Arran Malt.”
For something extra why not try a taste of a cheese inspired by the Arran Malt itself? Infused with the Arran Lochranza Reserve, the Arran Whisky Cheddar (£4) shares the fresh and light tones of dram itself.
Arran Whisky is available from arranwhisky.com and at independent whisky retailers. For Arran Cheeses, visit www.arranscheeseshop.co.uk
Notes to editors:
For more information visit www.arranwhisky.com
* Accolades for Isle of Arran Distillery include Winner for: Best New Exporter (2004), Queen’s Award for International Trade (2005), Scottish Distiller of the Year (2007) and Scottish Drinks Producer of the Year (2007)
Scottish Field Visitor Experience of the Year 2014 & 2015
Drinks Business Best Contribution to Wine and Spirits Tourism (2017)
Product awards include: Best Whisky Liqueur (2007), ‘Best Single Malt Scotch 12 Years & Under’ for The Arran Malt Amarone Cask Finish (2008) ‘Best Single Malt Scotch 11-15 Years’ for The Arran Malt Sherry Single Cask 1998 (2010) and ‘Best Single Malt Scotch 11-15 Years’ for the Icons of Arran Peacock (2011.) ‘Double Gold Award’ for Arran’s 14 Year Old Single Malt and ‘Gold Award’ for Arran’s 10 Year Old Single Malt at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition (2012). Double Gold in FiftyBest.com awards (2012). Double Gold Medal for the 12 year-old Cask Strength in the San Francisco World Spirits Competition (2013). Double Gold for both the 10 year-old and 12 year-old Cask Strength at the China Wine & Spirits Best Value Awards 2014.
