When it comes to hosting a memorable dinner party, every detail counts. From the first course to the final toast, offering your guests a thoughtfully curated experience is key. 

As you approach dessert, pairing it with the perfect whisky adds a level of sophistication that few other beverages can achieve. The Glenlivet collection, known for its refined single malts, offers a variety of whiskies that complement rich, indulgent desserts while enhancing the overall dining experience. 

Whether you’re serving a classic crème brûlée or a more adventurous whisky-glazed pineapple, each pairing brings a new layer of depth to your evening. Let’s explore some of the best desserts to pair with whisky.

Pairing whisky with dessert requires careful balance, as both elements bring bold flavours to the table. It’s important to find a balance of sweetness and intensity so that neither overpowers the other. 

You want the richness of the whisky to enhance the dessert’s flavours while allowing the subtleties of both to shine. When it comes to what to choose, keep in mind that all whiskies pair well with fats. So desserts that have a high fat content— think custard, cream and baked puddings–-usually go with almost any bottle.

This light and fruity dessert layers strawberry slices and thick whipped cream between two Scottish shortbread biscuits, a match made for our Speyside heritage. 

Pure-butter shortbread pairs wonderfully with a soft and silky single malt scotch, particularly one with a vibrant fruitiness, much like The Glenlivet 12 Year Old. This expression’s bright fruity notes and smooth, creamy finish provide the perfect contrast to the buttery richness of the shortbread and the freshness of the strawberries.

Grilled pineapple is a lesser-seen dessert, but one that guarantees a warm welcome. Especially when glazed with whisky and paired with a dollop of golden citrus honey or lime crème fraîche. 

This dessert offers a lively combination of caramelised sweetness and tartness, making it a delightful match for The Glenlivet Caribbean Reserve, a scotch with complementary tropical notes.

Part finished in barrels that previously held Caribbean rum, this whisky’s vibrant tropical taste and rich, caramel finish enhances the natural sweetness of the pineapple. While the whisky glaze ties the pairing together even moreso.

A whisky-infused twist on the Italian classic, this dessert is a pairing that can be served as one. Combining the richness of silky ice cream with the warming spice of single malt scotch, this sweet dish makes for a decadent finish to any meal.

Make your affogato with a pour of The Glenlivet 15 Year Old. With notes of sweet almond and rich fruit, this whisky elevates the indulgence of the affogato, adding complexity to each mouthful.

These thick, rich cookies are an elevated take on a childhood favourite. The nuttiness of brown butter and a dash of whisky in the dough adds spice and richness that’s best enjoyed with a dram of The Glenlivet Distiller’s Reserve.

With its notes of hazelnut, marzipan, and fudge, this whisky enhances the toasty flavours of the brown butter cookies, creating a decadent match for a cosy afternoon.

These thick, rich cookies are an elevated take on a childhood favourite. The nuttiness of brown butter and a dash of whisky in the dough adds spice and richness that’s best enjoyed with a dram of The Glenlivet Distiller’s Reserve.

With its notes of hazelnut, marzipan, and fudge, this whisky enhances the toasty flavours of the brown butter cookies, creating a decadent match for a cosy afternoon.

A refined dessert that balances the light citrus of orange with the creaminess of a classic crème brûlée. The caramelised sugar on top adds a layer of warmth that is beautifully complemented by a whisky with both citrus and spice notes.

Pair with a glass of The Glenlivet 18 Year Old. With bursts of sweet orange and winter spice, this whisky mirrors the dessert’s flavour profile, creating a perfectly balanced finish.

A sophisticated task on the traditional apple pie, this pudding is comforting, sweet and beautiful to look at, with sliced apple carefully layered to appear as petals. It’s a traditional, showstopper of a dessert that pairs beautifully with a dram of The Glenlivet Founder’s Reserve, a light, sweet expression with a similar traditional story.

Created using the time-honoured distillation methods of our founder, this whisky is distinctly smooth, with notes of toffee apple and citrus. Its zesty flavour lightens the richness of the pie, offering a refreshing contrast to the sweet caramel.

The bitterness of walnuts paired with the sweetness of baked apples creates a rustic yet refined flavour in this winter warmer of a dessert. A crunchy crumble topping adds texture, while a dram of The Glenlivet Captain’s Reserve brings out the dessert’s deeper, spiced notes.

This whisky is a complex, characterful expression with notes of honey, cinnamon and chocolate-dipped raisins. Sweet and layered, it complements the walnut’s bitterness and enhances the warm spiced flavours of the crumble.

Not much beats this classic Scottish dessert made with layers of whipped cream, honey, raspberries and toasted oats, Cranachan is a perfect pairing for a whisky with a creamy, slightly sweet profile that complements the dessert’s rich texture and flavours. Much like The Glenlivet White Oak Reserve.

This whisky’s creamy texture — thanks to its triple-cask maturation — works beautifully with the richness of the whipped cream and the tartness of the raspberries. This pairing is the best of Scotland.

For an evening of pure celebration, serve this decadent, rich chocolate dessert with a smooth pour of one of our best single malts. Served with whisky-infused ice cream and a crisp chocolate tuile, this dessert requires a whisky of equal luxurious nature. And we think The Glenlivet 21 Year Old pairs beautifully.

The long, warming spice of this whisky, with notes of nutmeg, dried apricots, and chocolate-coated ginger, provides an indulgent accompaniment to the rich chocolate cremeux. A seriously decadent end to a meal.

Discover more whisky food pairings to introduce to your guests with The Glenlivet collection.