By Kaila Imada – Timeout
This new premium flavour features cacao that has been aged for 180 days in barrels from Islay, Scotland
KitKat in Japan takes its ubiquitous chocolate bar to the next level by offering unique regional specialities as well as luxurious editions created by some of Japan’s best pastry chefs (the latter is marketed under the KitKat Chocolatory label). The brand even has a dedicated chocolatory in Shibuya, where you can make your own custom KitKat bar.
If you’re looking for a decadent chocolate for the holidays, check out this whisky barrel-aged KitKat by Japanese patissier Yasumasa Takagi. For this special edition, the cacao nibs are aged for 180 days in wooden barrels previously used to store whisky. During the process, the barrels are rotated once a week to make sure that all the cocoa nibs receive an even distribution of the whisky’s taste and aroma.
The whisky barrels come from Islay of Scotland, one of the premier whisky producers in the world. These barrels are noted for their smoky peatiness, which is a perfect match for the rich chocolate. The cocoa, on the other hand, is sourced from Ghana; it’s a beautifully mellow chocolate that’s best suited for blending and mixing with other flavours.
Interestingly, these luxe KitKats are actually the first KitKat Chocolatory product to be produced overseas. The packaging even states that they are made in the United Kingdom.
The new Scotch whisky barrel-aged KitKats will be available from Tuesday December 15, sold in single bars similar to the other Chocolatory products, at ¥300 a pop. You’ll find them at all seven KitKat Chocolatory locations across Japan, including the one in Ginza.