If you’re a lover of whisky or just beginning to discover and enjoy the world of spirits, then here’s a brief guide on the many types of whiskies found all over the world:
- Scotch whisky, exclusively hails from Scotland, and is typically categorized into single malt, blended malt, single grain, and blended grain. What sets Scotch whisky apart from any other whisky is that its production methods and ingredients are region specific.
- Irish whisky is native to Ireland, and typically has notes of vanilla, honey, and fruit. It has a mellow and balanced flavor profile because it's triple-distilled and aged in oak barrels.
- American whisky also has its own varieties - bourbon, Tennessee whisky, and rye whisky. Bourbon is usually considered sweet with a robust flavor, while Tennessee whisky is smoother because it undergoes maple charcoal filtering. Rye, on the other hand, has some spice and kick to it because of the grain used.
- Canadian whisky is light and smooth, usually featuring caramel, vanilla, and spice notes.
However, the world of whisky is not limited to these types and regions. India has a very active whisky distillery world, which are producing award winning spirits. Japanese whisky has also gained international acclaim for its meticulous craftsmanship that borrows from Scottish whisky-making traditions. Then there are a whole lot of whiskies coming from Taiwan, Australia, and even Sweden. You've got to try them all!
Besides enjoying whisky in a drink or a cocktail, there are many other ways to use it. You can cook with it, braise meats, and even use it as a marinade. When it comes to desserts, whisky is the perfect versatile and luxurious addition to make a sweet treat even better. Here are some ways you can incorporate this spirit into desserts:
Chocolate Whisky Easy Cake Recipe at Home
Ingredients:
For the cake:
- 300 gm flour
- 115 gm Cadbury Cocoa Powder
- 200 gm granulated or caster sugar
- 200 gm brown sugar
- 220 gm Cadbury Bournville 70% Dark Chocolate (finely chopped)
- 2 eggs
- 180 ml sour cream
- 125 ml vegetable oil
- 60 ml whisky of choice
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
For the whisky ganache:
- 220 gm Cadbury Bournville 70% Dark Chocolate (finely chopped)
- 250 ml double cream
- 3 tbsp whisky
- Pinch of salt
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 180°C and grease your cake tins lightly with some vegetable oil or softened butter. Set aside.
- In a mixing bowl, sift all the dry ingredients together, then set them aside.
- In another bowl, add sour cream, vegetable oil, water, vanilla extract and whisky, and mix well.
- Cream the eggs along with caster sugar, and brown sugar to get a smooth, pale, and creamy mixture.
- Combine all of the wet ingredients, and add the dry ingredients in batches. Mix well.
- Finally fold in the chopped chocolate shards.
- Pour the batter equally and evenly into both cake tins, then bake for about 30 to 40 minutes.
- Let them cool at room temperature. If you’re in a rush, pop them in the freezer.
- Heat the cream in a saucepan until it’s just about to come to a boil. As soon as you see it about to bubble, add the chopped chocolate in it.
- Let the chocolate sink in the warm cream, and then whisk vigorously so it melts evenly..
- The final additions to the ganache are whisky and salt. You can scale up the quantity of the whisky if you like.
- Once the cakes are cool, spread the ganache over them, and serve.
Chocolate Whisky Mousse
Ingredients:
- 240 gm Cadbury Bournville 70% Dark Chocolate (finely chopped)
- 4 tbsp butter
- 4 tbsp strong coffee
- 60 ml whisky
- 4 large eggs, separated into yolks and whites
- 120 gm caster sugar
- 240 ml whipping cream
- Pinch of salt
- Chocolate shavings for garnish
Instructions:
- Melt the finely chopped chocolate with room temperature butter, then add the coffee powder into it too. You can do it using the double boiler method or in the microwave.
- Whisk the egg yolks with half of the sugar using the double boiler method. Do it until they turn foamy.
- Then add the warm eggs into the warm chocolate, and mix vigorously.
- In a bowl, beat all of the egg whites with a pinch of salt until you get soft peaks. Then incorporate the rest of the sugar. Add to the chocolate mixture.
- Lastly, beat the whipping cream to achieve soft peaks, then add it to the mousse too.
- Divide into serving cups or a large serving dish.
- Garnish with chocolate shavings and some chopped strawberries. You can also soak the berries in some whisky in advance.