It doesn't strike you as a girly drink (more like grandpa's nightcap, right?), but many women have a taste for well-aged Scotch.  I learned this at a recent guided scotch tasting.  More about that in a moment, but my takeaway message from the evening is that scotch and chocolate pair very very well.

This little factoid immediately captured my attention, and I'm betting it's now snagged yours.  Since you're halfway convinced already, here's what you should know the next time you’re shopping for spirits:

Know the difference: blended scotch is a combination of different whiskies that are aged together, while single malt is a single distilled liquor. First-time scotch drinkers usually find blends smoother, but connoisseurs say you get more of an experience from a single malt.

Age matters: the best scotch is aged more than 10 years, because the longer the alcohol sits in the barrel the smoother the taste and the richer the flavour.

Pairings matter: just like wines, scotches should be selected to match your menu.  You can pair scotch with crackers, nuts, and dried fruit, but let's be real: we're only interested in the chocolate right now.

White Chocolate lovers, try a lighter scotch like Macallan 15-year-old Fine Oak to complement the chocolate's delicateness instead of overpowering it. ChickAdvisor members love Lindt truffles (pictured: Stracciatella) and Green & Black's organic white chocolate.  Alternate between sips of scotch and allowing the chocolate to melt in your mouth.

For Milk Chocolate connoisseurs, pair an older 18-year-old Sherry Oak with a smooth milky chocolate like ChickAdvisor faves Nestle Noir Mousse Délicate or Ghirardelli Luxe Milk squares.  Marc Laverdiere, Canadian brand ambassador for Macallan told us that this particular scotch is a favourite among women because of its ginger, vanilla and cinnamon flavours and extremely smooth taste. We tried this scotch with a caramel infused truffle and the blend of flavours was incredible.

If Dark Chocolate's your fancy, try a darker spirit like Macallan Cask Strength.  Allow the dark chocolate to sit in your mouth for a few seconds before adding a sip of scotch to wash over.  The bitterness of the dark chocolate pulls the sting from the scotch and warms your throat deliciously.  We'd pair it with Dove Dark (try Dusk for a milder flavour) or Nestle Noir Intense with 70% cocoa.

Have you tried scotch with chocolate? 

*as always, we encourage you to enjoy alcohol responsibly