Small batch bourbons and delicious chocolates Yumo!

Well it is the time of year when Father’s Day will soon be with us.  This year Devonport Chocolates will have their usual range of delights perfectly suited to Dad but we have also partnered with the fabulous Sam and Nigel at The House of Whiskey to make a range of three chocolates using small batch bourbons.

Our Master Chocolatier Yoann Martichon mixed and matched, experimented and tasted, creating flavours that emphasised the delicious notes and aromas of these three small batch bourbons.

Noahs Mill Bourbon partnered with salted caramel

Noahs Mill is the cigar smoking, cologne wearing Lord of the Manor of small batch Bourbons.  With the colour of polished mahogany, quite an intense nose and flavours reminiscent of molasses, leather and oak Yoann has teamed this with a salted caramel.

Willet Pot Still Reserve Bourbon partnered with banana and spice.

If you are the extrovert of your group of friends and love a good party you can go no further than Willet Pot Still Reserve.  This delicate bourbon (can you call bourbon delicate?) has quite floral and tropical notes.  With an overall impression of honey and citrus Yoann has teamed it with banana and spice for a quirky, but delicious taste. 

Johnny Drum Private Stock with orange, nutmeg and allspice

Everyone knows someone who is the outdoorsy type. They are able to construct a shelter with a bit of number eight wire and a tarp, they can start a fire with a rock and they smell distinctly of grass.  Johnny Drum is the bourbon for them.  A smoky palette that reminds you of deep forests and wood fires develops into a pepper, spice, mint and cedar wood taste, wow!  This is such a rich and capable bourbon Yoann only needed to add a touch of orange oil, allspice and nutmeg to bring out the bourbon.

Available from both Devonport Chocolates and the House of Whiskey in mid-August these delicious chocolates will be packaged in a box of nine pieces.  If you have a passion for whiskey or would like to find out more about bourbons we can highly recommend the folks at The House of Whiskey, always willing to share their extraordinary whiskey knowledge with their customers a visit here will not be forgotten.  www.houseofwhiskey.co.nz

Valentine's Day, myths legends and of course chocolate!

Valentine’s Day conjures up images of cupids, hearts, red roses and of course chocolates, but where did it all begin?  A quick look at research (albeit Wikipedia and history.com) reveals that the history of Valentine’s Day is wrapped up in the legends of saints, medieval courtship and lilting love notes.

Valentine’s Day is no longer a day officially on the Roman Catholic church calendar as no one knows much about St Valentine.  St Valentine could be one of three patron saints who have been martyred by the church.  In Roman times legend has it that one priest continued to marry young couples after marriage was outlawed for young men because they were required for battle.

The earliest recorded Valentine’s note was sent by Charles, Duke of Orleans to his wife while he was being held in the Tower of London following his capture at battle his “farewell to love” poem is in stark contrast to a book published in 1797, “The Young Mans Valentine Writer” containing verses for the man who couldn't write his own, much like the Valentine’s cards of today.

So when did chocolate become synonymous with Valentine’s Day?  Aztec Emperor Montezuma consumed large quantities of chocolate drink before entertaining his harem or could it be that wooing your Valentine is that much easier after they've eaten chocolate and are experiencing an increase in endorphins? 

However it really is more simple than that: chocolates are a delicious gift.  Keeping that in mind why not try one of the Valentine’s Day ideas below:

• Hold a wine and chocolate tasting evening with your loved one with passionate flavours like strawberry champagne, chilli and gooey caramel.
• Cook something chocolaty and delicious, have a look at our website for some ideas: http://www.devonportchocolates.co.nz/Chocolate-Recipes.
•  Be a romantic and pen a poem enclosing it in a delicious box of chocolates.