The tasting nobody ever cared to do: The Whisky & Coke Comparison Tasting
Who needs Brora 1972 or a Bowmore 1966 when you can drink the ultimate in whisky experience? The good old Coca-Cola with Scotch is unbeatable, and we snobs should not stick our nose up in the air about it! So, we put it to the test, the question you have all been dying to know the answer to: which cola is the best choice to mix your whisky with for the ultimate Whisky & Coke? Let’s go!
We do not want to spoil good cola on mediocre whisky, so for the mix we used this Hazelburn Campbeltown single malt whisky at 10 years old. Each long drink glass was filled with 2 cl whisky. All these samples were tasted in one session, which proved useful for comparison.
Disclaimer: Neither Coca-Cola nor J&A Mitchell (Hazelburn) have paid me to use their products for this blog, but I am open for compensation might they feel so inclined.
Coca-Cola mixed with Hazelburn 10 years old (46 % abv)
Upon Sipping: Incredibly strong mix of cacao leaf and alcohol kick. It is confirmed, we have a Whisky & Coke in the glass here. It smells like a pub at closing time, you are contemplating how enthusiastically you are gonna say goodbye to the bar owner, who is commanding you to go home with their eyes. Alright, alright, one more sip! Taking a sip, I have to say it is quite sticky and fragile, while the whisky does not really have a say in the proceedings. That is a pity, but the sweetness of the sip makes up for a lot. The sugars are very present here. It will keep you energized.
Word to the Wise: The combination works, but it is not my favourite of the three. This might have something to do with the fact that I am diabetic, and never ever drink normal “fat” coke unless I have climbed a mountain and have a sugar crash. Anyway…
Score: 8,5 out of 10 points.
Coca-Cola “Light” a.k.a. “Diet” mixed with Hazelburn 10 years old (46 % abv)
Upon Sipping: The vanilla and fruity smell of the Hazelburn is still pronounced upon approaching the glass. The body of the Diet Coke is famously thin and a tad watery, created by misguided marketing MEN who thought women could not handle a strong coke as good as anyone. Sadly, this makes for a weak Whisky & Coke, to be honest, where the cola does not carry the whisky well towards the finish. Rather bitter on cacao plant indeed. Does slip in nicely, does not make you feel bloated.
Word to the Wise: If you order a Whisky & Coke, we advise you to avoid the Diet expression. However, of all three coke varieties tasted, the Diet keeps the aroma of the whisky alive the best. A useless treat of course, because who wants to nose a Whisky & Coke with the bubbles fizzing and tickling your nose?
Score: 7 out of 10 points.
Coca-Cola “Zero” mixed with Hazelburn 10 years old (46 % abv)
Upon Sipping: Interestingly, the Coke Zero pushes the whisky content of the glass more towards the background, and makes the smell of coke very pronounced. Not a bad thing per se. Taking a sip, I have to say this makes me a lot happier after the sad experience with the Diet version. This works well, the two liquids combined elevate each other, making this a combination to go for! The Zero does cloud the fruity character of the Hazelburn, but creates a good balance for the alcohol content. This glass of Whisky & Coke actually carries a finish, which is amazing!
Word to the Wise: This is the one: very satisfying! Keeping the coke alive, while making the whisky shine in the combination. This I could quaff in a nice pub, watching football with friends.
Score: 10 out of 10 points.
What can I say to finish, other than this? …