Booths is hosting a series of special whisky and chocolate tasting sessions in selected Booths stores to help customers get into the spirit of Burns Night on 25 January 2011.
There will be up to 20 of some of the best malts and blends to try during the event which will run from 21-25 January. Each tipple will be matched with a different variety of chocolate that is designed to bring out the complex flavours of the whisky.
Winning mixes include a spice-infused glass of 12 Year Old Highland Park paired with the sweet cocoa flavoured orange and citrus flavours of Lindt Dark Chocolate with Intense Orange. Or shoppers can warm up their day by trying a drop of smoky Talisker 10 Year Old with a square of Valrhona Guanaja 70% Dark Chocolate.
All of the bottles of whisky included in the promotion will be available to buy at a discounted rate of up to £10 off.
Booths spirits buyer Pete Newton says: “We're all familiar with the concept of matching food with wine but I think people will be amazed by the way whisky and chocolate compliment each other so well. There are some incredible flavour sensations and we’ve worked hard to find the best partnerships out there.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for customers to try some of the finest whiskies in the world and find the perfect bottle to toast the haggis on Burns Night!”
There will be four whiskies and chocolates to try on each of the five tasting days. On 21 January customers can enjoy Famous Grouse, Glenlivet 15 Year Old, Ancnoc and Highland Park 12 Year Old. J&B Rare, Macallan 10 Year Old, Talisker 10 Year Old and Bowmore 12 Year Old will be on the tasting table on 22 January.
On 23 January, sample drams of Grants Sherry Cask, Glenfiddich 15 Year Old, Old Pulteney 12 Year Old and Bunnahabhain 12 Year Old. There's a world-class line up on 24 January featuring Black Grouse, Cragganmore, Tobermory and Auchentoshan.
And to round off the event on 25 January shoppers can raise a glass to Black Bottle, Glenfarclas 15 Year Old, Oban 14 Year Old and Isle of Jura 10 Year Old.
Staff will be on hand to give advice on Booths extensive range of 100 different malt and blended whiskies.
Whisky Tastings
21 January
Famous Grouse - Now £13.02 Save £3
Glenlivet 15 Year Old – Now - £25.74 Save £10
Ancnoc Now - £18.55 Save £8
Highland Park 12 Year Old Now - £24.63 Save £6
22 January
J&B Rare Now - £15.77 Save £3
Macallan 10 Year Old – Now £23.60 Save £5
Talisker 10 Year Old – Now £24.64 Save £6
Bowmore 12 Year Old – Now £25.33 Save £5
23 January
Grants Sherry Cask £13.31 Save £2
Glenfiddich 15 Year Old £28.91 Save £5
Old Pulteney 12 Year Old £21.55 Save £5
Bunnahabhain £25.11 Save £5
24 January
Black Grouse £14.35 Save £3
Cragganmore £26.64 Save £6
Tobermory £24.64 Save £5
Auchentoshan 12 Year Old £23.39 Save £5
25 January
Black Bottle £13.31 Save £2
Glenfarclas 15 Year Old £33.81 Save £5
Oban 14 Year Old £30.05 Save £6
Isle of Jura £24.11 Save £5
Whisky Facts
There are three types of Scotch whisky: malt, grain and blended whisky.
Malt whisky is produced from 100% malted barley. Grain whisky is from a variety of cereals which may or may not include a proportion of malted barley. Blended whisky is a combination of malt and grain whisky blended together before being bottled.
A single malt must come from the same distillery.
Scotch whisky must be bottled at a minimum strength of 40% and also matured in an oak cask in Scotland for a minimum of three years to be legally described as Scotch.
A ‘dram’ can only apply to a measure of Scotch whisky, the size of which is determined by the generosity of the pourer.
The proof of Scotch whisky used to be tested by mixing the spirit with gunpowder and monitoring the flame given off when ignited. Early whisky testers could be recognised by their singed eyebrows!
Up to 17 million casks of Scotch whisky are maturing in Scotland at any one time.