The Strength of England & Scotland in a Glass

English sparkling wine and Scottish whisky have you ever tried it?

We’ve combined Edradour Distiller Single Malt Scotch Whisky with Woodchurch’s 2013 vintage classic Cuvée Brut in one glass and Exton Park’s Blanc de Noirs in another, both with a teaspoon of honey and a sprinkle of Beech’s Fine Dark Lime & Chilli Chocolate.

Before we start drinking, lets learn what’s going inside these cocktails…

Woodchurch Estate

Woodchurch Estate is a family business established in 2009, it produces award winning English sparkling wine. Situated in the picturesque village of Woodchurch, in Kent – the garden of England. Their vineyard shop is open on weekends from 11am until 5pm

This English sparkling wine is the Woodchurch 2013 vintage classic Cuvée Brut with a blend of 50% Chardonnay, 35% Pinot Noir, 15% Pinot Meunier, this wine is priced at £26.95 on their website and also available directly via Connoisseur Estates.

Exton Park

Exton Park was first planted in 2003 on the South Downs Hampshire’s National Park overlooking Exton village in the Meon Valley, Exton Park Wines do not buy any grapes in from other vineyards. All the wine is made from the grapes grown at their own vineyard.

This English sparkling wine is the Exton Park Blanc de Noirs, made from 100% Pinot Noir grapes, of which 15% are from recently planted vines and the rest are from more mature vines of earlier plantings, this wine is priced at £29.95 on their website.

Edradour Distiller Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Edradour is world renowned as the smallest traditional distillery in Scotland and arguably the most unique. Dating back to 1825.

This is the highland single malt scotch whisky 2007. Distilled on November 9th 2007 and Bottled on March 30th 2018 with an alcohol level of 60.9%.

Beech’s Fine Chocolates

Beech’s Fine Chocolates are a family owned independent British confectionery manufacturer with almost 100 years of experience. All chocolate is made with only the finest and natural ingredients.

Beech’s Fine Chocolates has an array of different tasting chocolates and truffles, this is the Dark Lime & Chilli Chocolate Bar (60g), suitable for vegetarians and vegans, plus its gluten-free.

Now for the good part

Woodchurch Estate Cocktail tasting notes: “Here I got a quick citrus near grapefruit juice burst followed quickly by the characteristics from the single malt then quickly back to the citrus flavours from the sparkling wine. The ending is shorter and contains the dark chocolate hints with a length of citrus and oak / peppery single malt flavours battling it out together.”

Exton Park Cocktail tasting notes: “What is great about English Sparkling Wine is that on many occasions it is an explosion of crisp flavours that come alive in the palate, an orchestra of notes in the palate from orchard fruits to brioche, citrus to toffee – This sector of the international sparkling wine scene has come along way in just a few short years. I recently visited a national whiskey show on the hunt for a punchy flavoured Whisky, something that gave you the required burning smokey and spicy flavours that would be sufficient enough to compete with the rich and acidic notes of the sparkling wine. Here the two paired very well, the initial citrus burst from the sparkling wine is then shown the wonderful musty oak and peppery flavours of the Edradour single malt. The touch of finely near powdered chocolate really comes in to play in mid to end taste with the lime and smoothness of the dark chocolate showcasing itself.”

Well there you go, both cocktails tasted, both different in their own ways, will you be trying any of these combinations or will you go for a different blend, let us know by tweeting us your final results @GlassofBubbly