This week, hosts Jim Shannon and Todd Ritter venture down a sweeter path on The Bourbon Road podcast for a truly decadent and educational experience. They are joined by a very special guest, Nicole Patel, the founder and master chocolatier of the Austin-based Delysia Chocolatier. In a fascinating twist, Nicole reveals that her journey to becoming a chocolatier began after earning a master's degree in engineering. She discusses how her engineering mindset and a challenge to conquer the particular science of chocolate making—from tempering to managing temperature and humidity—led her to create her business.

Throughout the episode, Nicole guides Jim and Todd through a blind tasting, pairing a variety of spirits with selections from her "History of Chocolate" tasting set without any advance knowledge of the whiskeys. She provides expert instruction on the proper way to experience the pairings: first tasting the bourbon, then letting a piece of chocolate melt on the tongue to appreciate its individual flavors, and finally, combining the two to see how they interact and transform one another. The result is an exploration of complementary and contrasting flavors that will inspire listeners to host their own tasting parties.

The pairings on this episode include:

• Round 1: Jim’s Blanton’s Single Barrel, with its traditional caramel and baking spice notes, is paired with Delysia’s Spiced Ganache truffle. Todd’s seven-year Old Fitzgerald wheated bourbon, featuring cherry and honey notes, is matched with a Chipotle Orange truffle made with unique ruby chocolate.

• Round 2: Jim brings out a Weller 12 Year, noted for its cherry and oak profile, which he and Todd both pair with the complex Mexican Mole truffle, containing a blend of eight peppers and six spices. Todd also tastes his Old Grand-Dad Bottled-in-Bond, with its characteristic peanut note, against the spicy chocolate.

• Round 3: The hosts throw some curveballs. Jim pours a Michter’s Barrel Strength Bourbon, featuring dark fruit and caramel notes, which Nicole pairs with the Apple Pie truffle. Todd selects a Laird's Apple Brandy, which is also expertly paired with the Apple Pie truffle, with its notes of cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and tart green apple.

• Round 4: For the final tasting, Jim enjoys an Angel's Envy Cask Strength finished in tawny port barrels, bringing savory, dark grape notes. This is paired with the White Peach Balsamic white chocolate truffle. Todd concludes with a peaty Ardbeg Corryvreckan scotch, which Nicole matches with a simple yet elegant Smoked Cacao truffle, made with 85% bittersweet chocolate and salt smoked in a Texas barbecue pit.

Join the roadies for an episode that proves there are no wrong answers in pairing, only delicious experiments. Learn about the anatomy of a truffle, the art of flavor creation, and why bourbon and chocolate are a match made in heaven.

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