Christophe Pienkowski, Glenfiddich Brand Ambassador, embodies the centuries-old alliance of France and Scotland by bringing the best tastes of those two worlds together for delicious holiday celebrations.

It’s an alchemy of the culinary arts that pairs Scotch whisky with appetizers, entrees, and desserts, and it takes its inspiration from the 1296 “Auld Alliance” built on Scotland and France’s shared need to fend off English expansion. A military and diplomatic partnership, it provided pay for Scottish fighters in France’s armies and gave Scottish merchants the first choice of Bordeaux’s finest wines.

Classically trained in the art of French cuisine, Christophe has always been fascinated by pairings; first pairing the best French wines with the dishes he was creating, then later as a chef working for a famous spirit company, as a Cognac Ambassador, and now as Glenfiddich Brand Ambassador. He says, “I’ve learned all the possibilities of mixing culinary arts and liquor. For me, cuisine and cooking has always been about sharing food, experience, passion, and craftsmanship. That is exactly what I’ve found with Glenfiddich — the best craftsmanship, passion, patience, the finest malts, and expertise in Whisky making.”

The subtleties of pairing Glenfiddich with food

In pairing Glenfiddich with food, says Christophe, “You need to take into consideration the amount of alcohol in the spirit or wine. As Scotch is stronger than wine, obviously pairing it with food is going to be different. Sometimes the tastes will complement each other, as in the spices from sherry casks working with spices in the food, vanilla notes from the bourbon barrels playing with the natural vanilla in a dessert. And, sometimes opposites attract. For instance, a peaty whisky will not pair at all with smokey food such as barbecue ribs, but will be delicious with something very different like blue cheese.”

The iconic Glenfiddich 12 Year Old, known as the the World’s Most Awarded Single Malt Scotch Whisky, “is just amazing with fresh oysters from Brittany. This staple Single Malt is fresh and fruity, really a great pairing with these salty and nutty oysters.”

For one of the traditional holiday meals that features Chinese cuisine, Christophe recommends “Glenfiddich 15 Year Old Solera Reserve with its beautiful and typical sherry cask notes, like spices and ginger. Glenfiddich 15 is an awesome companion to celebrate special moments with my family and friends. It’s a more complex Single Malt Scotch, yet very approachable with beautiful notes of dark fruits and spices coming from the sherry casks in which it is aged.”

For complex Creole cuisine, Christophe’s choice is “Glenfiddich 21 Year Old Gran Reserva, perfect with its amazing finish in rum casks giving it exotic notes of fruits like banana, mango and peppery notes on the tongue. This one also works perfectly with a delicious specialty from Bordeaux, France, the canelé — a small, baked pastry with a caramelized crust and soft center.”

To round out a memorable meal, Christophe recommends choosing “Glenfiddich Grand Cru 23 Year Old, with its delicious aromas of sweet brioche and vanilla. If you’ve never tried that one with a pain perdu or a madeleine, you’re missing  something, especially around the holidays.”

For everyone new to pairing Scotch with food, Christophe has three words of advice: “Tasting, tasting, tasting. It’s the magic that happens in your mouth - close your eyes, have a bite of the dish you just cooked, have a little sip of your favorite Glenfiddich, and let your senses speak.”

Control, consistency, and quality for many tastes and occasions

With a range of whiskies that are approachable, consistent, and of the highest quality production, the brand continues to appeal to many tastes and occasions. Glenfiddich is one of the few Single Malt distilleries in Scotland to remain independently family-owned.

William Grant and his nine children built the distillery by hand over the span of a year. Ever since the first drop flowed on Christmas Day, 1887, a meticulous attention to control, consistency and quality has allowed Glenfiddich to continue producing exceptional Scotch Single Malt Whisky. 

For a complete description of all Glenfiddich expressions on the market, visit The Collections.

Please drink the exceptional responsibly. For further information, visit glenfiddich.com.