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Best flavoured smoked salmon for a festive twist
Try something a little different this Christmas
Tested by JoJo AnastasiouFood and Drinks Tester
Give your classic smoked salmon a glow-up this Christmas with our expert-rated twists on the festive favourite.
Whether booze-infused (whisky is a very popular choice this year) or with the addition of more traditional ingredients such as dill, our testing panel was looking for pairings that enhanced the rich and distinctive smoky fish flavour.
The panel tried a variety of cured and marinated slices, spiked with everything from treacle to gin and orange. These exciting alternatives are ideal served as a starter before the traditional turkey, or you could offer them in canapé form, alongside a cold glass of champagne.
Read on to find out which brand took the top spot this year.
Best flavoured smoked salmon for Christmas 2024
- 1
Best flavoured smoked salmon
Asda Exceptional Fig, Whisky & Spiced Honey Smoked Salmon 100g
Read review - 2
- 3
Severn & Wye Smokery Organic Smoked Salmon with Malted Whiskey, Orange & Dill 200g
Read review - 4
Sainsbury's Taste the Difference Treacle Scottish Smoked Salmon 100g
Read review - 5
How we test flavoured smoked salmon
The Good Housekeeping Institute panel tasted 10 exciting takes on smoked salmon to find the best twists for Christmas 2024. They were looking for well-integrated, robust flavours that complemented the natural aroma of the salmon. These are the products that came out on top.
Asda Exceptional Fig, Whisky & Spiced Honey Smoked Salmon 100g
Score: 78/100
Our winning smoked salmon punches well above its price tag, with one tester likening it to something you’d expect in a fine-dining restaurant. The smoke is pronounced from the get-go, while the fig, honey and whisky bring a warming sweetness to the finish.
With a buttery smooth texture, we reckon it’s worth saving for your Christmas Day starter, served with peppery watercress, lemon wedges, and crème fraîche.
Available: 21st November 2024
Score: 76/100
Our panel had nothing but high praise for the “robust smoke” and “gentle whisky sweetness” of this flavoured smoked salmon, which helps to round off the saltier notes and boost the moreish fatty flavour of the salmon.
The texture is firm and moist, making it a natural go-to for NYC-style bagels with cream cheese, cucumber, and a generous crack of black pepper.
Available: 16th December 2024
Severn & Wye Smokery Organic Smoked Salmon with Malted Whiskey, Orange & Dill 200g
Score: 75/100
This organic salmon is flavoured using fresh orange and a light sprinkling of dill, with an aroma reminiscent of a salty ocean breeze. It’s not overly salty on the palate however, maintaining a fresh, delicate citrus flavour through to the last bite. Delicious.
Score: 74/100
This Sainsbury’s smoked salmon scored highly for its “moreish, melt-in-the-mouth" texture, but it was the innovative flavour that impressed most. The sweet treacle is rich and deep, backed by light wood smoke, which complements the delicate fish perfectly.
Available: 1st December 2024
Score: 73/100
Prefer your salmon on the stronger, smokier side? Make tracks to Waitrose this festive season. The powerful smoke is paired with bright orange zest and sweet whisky notes, while the texture is firm and moreish, making it perfect for a more complex canapé.
Available: 27th November 2024
Score: 73/100
We’re all about minimising prep come Christmastime, and with this citrus-forward smoked salmon, you can forget dousing your smoked salmon slices with fresh lemon. The flavour is vibrant and fresh, striking the perfect balance between sweetness and acidity, while the whisky back note brings warmth and complexity.
Available: 15th October 2024
Score: 73/100
Presented in thick, buttery slices, you’d be forgiven for thinking this smoked salmon came with a higher price tag. The accompanying mustard and honey sauce is tangy and well-balanced, bringing a sweet, peppery note to the fish, though some testers found the dill milder than expected.
Available: 6th December 2024
Score: 72/100
Thanks to its deep wood smoke and light sweetness, this smoked salmon will prove popular with traditionalists this Christmas. The texture is buttery smooth, making it another good choice for canapés, though some testers felt the Hendricks flavour could be more prominent on the palate.
Stacey looks after all food and drink reviews — from coffee pods and veg boxes, to natural wine and tequila. Stacey is also founder of Crummbs, where she’s written nearly 2,000 restaurant and hotel reviews since 2013. Prior to this, Stacey wrote hundreds of in-depth buying guides for the Independent, i newspaper and BBC Good Food, as well as reviewing restaurants and interviewing celebrities in her column at Balance Magazine. Stacey has also appeared in BAFTA-nominated BBC documentary Blood, Sweat & Takeaways, where she investigated South East Asia's food production industry, appearing on both Newsnight and BBC World Service to share her findings. Regularly checking out the latest restaurants, bars and product launches, Stacey also loves experimenting with recipes at home, and is a WSET-certified wine and spirits expert, with over 10 years of experience in the business. You can follow Stacey on Instagram @crummbs_uk
Millie is freelance journalist and editor with five years’ experience writing product reviews, buying guides, breaking news and about the latest trends.
Millie has also reviewed countless restaurants and written travel features for British GQ, The Telegraph and the Independent, and has interviewed a number of leading chefs, including Jamie Oliver, Heston Blumenthal and Raymond Blanc.
Founder of creative catering brand @grazeandgorge, Millie also spends her time creating seasonal recipes and tablescape content, as well as planning her next golden retriever-friendly getaway and rearranging her own home bar cart (... again).
Joanna Anastasiou is our Food and Drinks Tester, and has completed certifications in Sensory Foundation and WSET Wine Level 2 training. Prior to this she studied geography with conservation biology at the University of Exeter and trained at Ballymaloe Cookery School in Ireland. Through this she has developed a passion for sustainability within the food and agricultural sectors. Joanna also volunteers in kitchens with FoodCycle, as well as on multiple wildlife conservation projects, where she formed a particular love for bees!
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