Scotch and an Old-Fashioned go together on a drink menu like grilled cheese and tomato soup, right? Well…the Old Fashioned I am talking about today is taking a very different but lovely turn down a Wonka lit alley way cause I’m not talking about the cocktail. Although on occasion if I do feel like mixing it up, an Old-Fashioned cocktail would be a go to of mine.
THIS Old Fashioned is good for breakfast, lunch, dinner… (hell…the liquid version could be too for that matter – ha!) …but really anytime you want one of those movie moments where your life just rolls into slow motion, all the sounds and tastes are on another planet, and you might possibly hear a choir of angels singing in the background as you take your first bite…which could then lead into a particular scene from “When Harry Met Sally” coming into view! You’ll have to look that one up.
Yes… I am talking doughnuts people! We are going to mix it up this time with a little something sugary sweet ON the way to our Islay destination to prepare to greet the golden dram on our palette. Let’s get those endorphins pumping for the plane, train, or ferry ride for the journey!
My absolute favorite donut is an Old Fashioned if you haven’t figured that out by now. I have only ever seen one to choose from here in the U.S. I about jumped through my laptop screen trying to use my Dr. Strange quantum powers to open the tunnel to portal straight to Tantrum Doughnuts when I started looking at their menu. I was excited at seeing TWO Old Fashioned’s on the first row as I was drooling at their amazing pictures…then row two and row three and on led to FIVE on the Menu! Not to mention the “CRÈME BRÛLÉE” which is my all-time favorite dessert…as a Doughnut! And a Special “BUTTERSCOTCH BAILEYS” Brioche doughnut filled with a butterscotch Baileys custard, topped with a malted cream cheese frosting and white chocolate blondie!! A colleague of mine recently told me of malted frosting on doughnuts which I had never heard of and sure enough, enter Butterscotch Baileys. So, I must try and also eat every single doughnut on this menu with absolute pleasure…and I will.
Enticed by the menu, I had to know the story behind everything and the philosophy of their day to day. Imagine that…yes, the story and purpose are always a part of my curiosity. That was just as beautiful as their doughnuts. The stars aligned…this was a moment…deep breath in and out. I had found another place to put on my itinerary for my adventure to Islay.
Now for the other well-deserved dram portion of this blog….
I do love me a Laphroaig and the 10 Year Old is a favorite of mine. While I can’t say that I’ve had this recipe, I will be trying it in the comfort of my couch with the 4K fireplace roaring on youtube t.v. screen. Not a big fan of chocolate unless it’s white chocolate and that’s probably not real chocolate (HA!) but if it was good enough to serve at Scott’s, I must give it a whirl.
This recipe came from Scotts Restaurant & Bar, that was an English-style venue which included a private whisky club in Washington, DC, but unfortunately is now closed so I can’t put that on my list to visit.
THE SCOTCH OLD FASHIONED
Ingredients:
50ml/1.5oz Laphroaig 10 Year Old
15ml/ 0.5oz simple syrup
3 dashes chocolate bitters
“A smouldering Laphroaig 10-year-old makes for a bold choice of spirit, which is then balanced by a touch of rich sweetness provided by the chocolate bitters. ‘The chocolate bitters help to quell the smoke and round out the cocktail,’ explains Jesse Hiney, general manager of Scotts. While the citrus peel is usually recognised as the traditional garnish for an Old Fashioned, Hiney deploys a brandied cherry to work in tandem with the chocolate bitters.
If in the D.C. area, I am putting Jack Rose Dining Saloon and Dirty Habit DC still open as of this blog, that are intriguing to me based on a Scotch Malt Whisky Society write-up. Maybe you have already been to these and in that case, leave me a comment and let me know what you think!
Slainte Mhath! (Pronounced Slanj-a-va 😉)
-The Scotch Siren
Art created by M.A. Schmid using the Midjourney web app.
