As a baby, my favourite dessert, made by my mom, was apple crisp—or at the least I assumed it was apple crisp. Because of that font of data referred to as the web, years later I found that my mom’s dessert was not a crisp, however a crumble. It was undoubtedly neither a cobbler nor a betty.
Apple crisp, arguably essentially the most autumnal of desserts after pumpkin pie, is outlined by the addition of oats to the topping. So my mom’s model, which was topped with butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon, was a crumble, whereas the same cobbler sports activities a biscuity moderately than a crumbly topping. The associated betty likewise eschews oats, typically substitutes breadcrumbs, and is commonly layered.
One factor I’m sure concerning the crisp/crumble of my youth is that neither of my dad and mom ever tried pairing it with a correctly chosen whisky. Which, frankly, I feel they’d have fairly loved, even my typically brown spirits-averse mom.
Having essayed a lot of totally different whiskies with apple, peach, and cherry crisps, I arrived at a pair of common tips. The primary is that spicy bourbons and wealthy however not particularly rye-forward Canadian whiskies work greatest for all-round pairing, every boasting a sweetness that enables the spirit to shine regardless of the sugary, cinnamon-accented fruitiness of the dish. The second is that the perfect pairings might be totally different relying on whether or not the crisp is served scorching out of the oven or chilly from the fridge.
Peach crisp, for instance, is a pure companion for bourbon, which deliciously accompanies just about something that options peach or peach flavors, however deserves a special form of bourbon relying upon its temperature. When heat or scorching, the cinnamon offers a giant olfactory accent to the sugar and fruit, so the dessert advantages from a partnership with a mildly to reasonably spicy bourbon corresponding to Buffalo Hint or 4 Roses Small Batch. When chilly, nevertheless, the recent peach taste shines extra brightly, calling for a extra intense malt and grain character within the accompanying whiskey.
Whereas each bourbon and Canadian whisky fare fairly properly alongside apple, the basic of the crisp household, a shock enchancment on the pairing is offered by a wealthy Irish whiskey, with single pot nonetheless faring ably, however Irish single malt excelling as a companion to the apple and spice of the dessert. Served chilly, apple crisp additionally offers an exception to the second of the above guidelines, with the Irish malt unsurpassed as a companion beverage.
A cherry crisp will yield totally different outcomes relying upon whether or not it’s made with recent or canned cherries, the latter packed in a syrup that makes them notably sweeter. For recent fruit, served scorching, a wealthy, caramel and vanilla-forward Canadian possibility like Crown Royal XO performs most admirably, whereas the raisin and spice of a sherried scotch single malt higher balances the elevated cherry flavors when the dish is chilly. Maybe counterintuitively, within the presence of the acute sweetness of canned cherries, a straight rye serves higher as a contrasting taste, muting the depth of the sugar syrup and including a welcome be aware of peppery spice.
Chilly Peach Crisp with Chattanooga 91 Straight Bourbon
The three malts used within the whiskey present a posh sweetness that elevates and accentuates the recent peach flavors of the dish.
Scorching Apple Crisp with Bushmills 16 yr previous Irish Single Malt
The port pipe end of the whiskey provides depth and fruit to the dessert, whereas the apple brings ahead the fruitiness of the malt.
Chilly Cherry Crisp made with recent cherries and Dalmore 12 yr previous Sherry Cask Choose
The chocolaty dried fruit and cinnamon of the whisky meet the sweetness of the fruit, and create a celebration of cherry and spice.
