Scottish Tablet & Whisky Pairings : Tabrifics Sweetens the Dram
Scotland’s sweet tooth runs deep, from Tunnock’s Teacakes to Shortbread, but nothing quite captures our crumbly, creamy hearts like Scottish Tablet. And thanks to Tabrifics, this beloved treat is getting the small-batch, handmade spotlight it deserves. But here’s the twist: tablet isn’t just for tea breaks. Pair it with a dram of single malt - whether it’s the honeyed hug of Dalwhinnie, the coastal charm of Oban, or the smoky seduction of Lagavulin, and you unlock a whole new flavour story. Sweet meets smoke, butter meets barley, and suddenly, you’re sipping on something truly special.
Tabrifics – Scotland’s Sweetest Treat, Handmade with Heart
Scotland is a treasure trove of sweet delights and liquid legends. From the iconic Tunnock’s Teacake and Caramel Wafer to the nostalgic joy of Edinburgh Rock, macaroon and shortbread, we know how to treat our tastebuds. But alongside these sugary gems sits something even more revered, our national nectar.
Yes, we love a cheeky bottle of Irn Bru, but the real crown jewel? Scotch whisky. That liquid gold. The water of life. The amber dram that both connoisseurs and curious sippers love to love.
Whisky’s a joy however you take it, neat, on the rocks, with a splash of water, stirred into a cocktail, or straight from the bottle if you’re feeling bold. However you sip it, the golden dram is yours to enjoy.
But whisky isn’t just a solo act. Like wine, it shines when paired with food. From rich charcuterie boards and crumbly cheeses to decadent chocolates, it’s a natural matchmaker. So why not take it one step further and pair it with one of Scotland’s most beloved sweet treats, tablet? and Tabrifics Tablet at that!
What Makes Scottish Tablet So Special?
So let me tell you a bit more about Tabrifics and why they are terrific!
Tabrifics are proudly rooted in Scotland and devoted to one thing, and one thing only, Scottish Tablet. Not fudge. Not toffee. Just proper, melt-in-the-mouth tablet made the old-fashioned way. Founded by Johnathan Laing in 2022, their mission is simple: celebrate Scotland’s favourite sweetie like never before, and share its crumbly, creamy magic with the world.
They’re a family-run business crafting small batches by hand using their signature recipe and the finest ingredients. Every bite-sized square is rich, buttery, and delicately crumbly, designed to melt on the tongue and warm the heart. It’s more than a treat; it’s a taste of tradition, made with care and a whole lot of love.
Scottish Tablet is a cultural icon, made from condensed milk, sugar, and butter, with a texture that’s crumblier and more delicate than fudge. Tabrifics believe it’s more than just a sweet, it’s a symbol of childhood, family, and place and they’re proud to be the world’s most passionate purveyors of Scottish Tablet.
Chatting with Johnathan, I thought it would be great to see what whisky pairs well with his tablet and after all, this buttery, vanilla-led, melt-in-the-mouth marvel deserves its own dram.
My mission? To find three stunning single malts that could hold their own beside the buttery brilliance of Tabrifics Scottish tablet. Each whisky was handpicked to do something different; one to compliment, one to contrast, and one to harmonise with that melt-in-the-mouth magic. A flavour adventure in three delicious acts (and why three whiskies you may ask - well each packet of Tabrifics Tablet comes with three squares!)
The flavour profile I was working with:
• Texture: Crumbly yet creamy, melt-in-the-mouth
• Flavour: Buttery, vanilla-led, rich and nostalgic
1st pairing : Dalwhinnie Winter’s Gold - Compliments with a Twist
This whisky is designed to be enjoyed cold, even straight from the freezer. Its profile includes:
• Aromas: Honey, orange peel, subtle smoke, and earthy floral notes
• Palate: Golden syrup, gristy malt, pear skins, sticky toffee, and warming spices like cinnamon and nutmeg
• Finish: Spicy and peppery with lingering honey and apple flesh
From the freezer, it leans fruitier, think green apple, sultana, and redcurrant, with a restrained sweetness and more pronounced spice.
The pairing leans toward harmonisation, thanks to shared sweetness and creamy textures. But the whisky’s spice and fruit notes add a gentle contrast that elevates the experience, like a winter breeze brushing past a warm kitchen window.
Serve the whisky slightly chilled to keep the spice in check and let the honeyed notes shine alongside the tablet. It’s a pairing that feels like a Highland hug with a cheeky wink.
2nd Pairing : Oban Little Bay - Harmonises with a Salty Wink
This coastal Highland malt is bold and complex, matured in small oak casks for extra richness. Its profile includes:
• Nose: Dried apricot, candied orange, caramel, ocean air, and spiced nuts
• Palate: Salted caramel, baked apples, orange zest, almonds, raisins, and muted mint
• Finish: Long and persistent with dark chocolate, clove, oak, and citrus spice
It’s like a fruitcake by the sea; layered, warming, and slightly salty.
This pairing compliments beautifully, especially through shared creamy textures and caramel tones. But Oban’s coastal salinity and spice offer a cheeky contrast that feels like a fireside treat after a bracing walk along Oban’s harbour. The whisky’s fruit and chocolate notes add depth, while the tablet’s buttery sweetness softens the edges. Serve the dram neat to highlight the salted caramel and chocolate finish.
3rd Pairing : Lagavulin Distillers Edition 4/506 - Contrast with Sweet Harmony
This pairing is pure drama and decadence. The Lagavulin Distillers Edition 4/506 is a richly layered Islay malt, double matured in Pedro Ximénez sherry casks, and it brings a bold, smoky complexity that plays beautifully and proactively with the tablet!
This dram is a smoky symphony with sweet undertones:
• Nose: Peat smoke, leather, menthol, honeyed fruit, salinity, like a seaside bonfire with a hint of Christmas pudding
• Palate: Bold peat upfront, followed by citrus, raisins, PX sherry sweetness, and a touch of mint. Smooth and layered with no harsh burn
• Finish: Lingering smoke, herbal warmth, and salty-sweet echoes. Think cocoa, dried fruit, and a whisper of tobacco
It’s a whisky that starts smoky, turns sweet, and finishes with a herbal hug.
This pairing is a bold contrast, anchored by shared sweetness. The tablet softens Lagavulin’s smoky punch, while the whisky adds depth and drama to the sugary melt. It’s like pairing a velvet curtain with a roaring hearth, unexpected, theatrical, and deeply satisfying. Serve the dram neat and let the tablet melt slowly before sipping. It’s a sensory duet that sings in smoky harmony.
Pairing whisky with Scottish Tablet isn’t just delicious, it’s a celebration of Scotland’s culinary soul. Whether you’re harmonising flavours, sparking contrast, or finding that perfect compliment, each bite and sip tells a story of tradition, craft, and indulgence. So go on, pour a dram, break a square, and discover your favourite pairing. Visit Tabrifics® to taste the tablet that’s turning whisky nights into sweet Scottish rituals.
TartanSpoon is an Award-winning blog that brings you reviews and recommendations on the very best places to eat, drink and stay in Edinburgh, Scotland and beyond.
Adele is a writer, reviewer and judge living in Edinburgh. She sits on the Committee for the Guild of Food Writers (Scottish Events), is a Great Taste Judge for the Guild of Fine Food, Scottish Bakers, Scotland Food & Drink Excellence Awards and a Judge for the Gin Co-operative awards. Should you wish to work with, invite or collaborate with TartanSpoon, please email tartanspoon@yahoo.co.uk
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