I wassitting at the bar at the Flat Iron Room in New York city one evening with with my then girlfriend and a cheese and meat board and drinking Bourbon. We were trying several different Bourbons (Yes we took a cab back to the hotel that night), and trying the different cheeses and meats to see how they changed the flavor of the Bourbon or the food. It was a very interesting evening and the bartender found it very fascinating as she joined in the fun. This is not a new idea as Ouita Michel, the chef in residence for Woodford Reserve Distillery, does a “flavor wheel” of food pairing with Woodford Reserve at the Woodford Bourbon Academy. Her presentation, not to mention the lunch she prepares for the Academy, is well worth the cost of the Academy. In her wheel she uses Parmesan-Reggiano cheese, dried cranberries, toasted hazel nuts, a slice of orange, sorghum molasses and dark chocolate. Each flavor compliments and enhances the Bourbon in a different way.
A great way to spend an evening with Bourbon and friends is to do a food and Bourbon pairing night. Get several friends together and three or four Bourbons together. I suggest that you make the Bourbons different proof and style. Throw in a wheated Bourbon, a high rye Bourbon, an 80 proof bourbon and maybe a Bonded Bourbon for example. Then gather your foods. Here is what I suggest:
Cheeses: The Parmesan-Reggiano has a nice buttery/salty flavor that goes well with many Bourbons. Julian Van Winkle told me he loves his products with Gouda cheese. A Brie is interesting as well. Go to a place with a good selection of cheese and pick out three or four ones that you like for the evening.
Cured Meats: Ham, Salami and other cured meats have a savory flavor that bring out many flavors in Bourbon. Get a mixture of salty and spiced meats.
Dried Fruit: Some cranberries, dates, apricots, apples or even pineapple. Dried fruits concentrate the sugars in the fruit and create some very interesting flavor changes in Bourbon.
Fresh Fruits: Orange slices, apples, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and peaches are all good. I once did a tasting with Old Forester Signature and a fresh peaches and one of the women described the pairing as “org*smic”. It might be interesting to get some olives here as well for the salty flavor.
Nuts: I like Pecans, but toasted hazelnuts, walnuts and almonds are also good. I found buttered pecans are really nice with Wild Turkey 101.
Chocolate: Get a mixture of good dark and milk chocolates and break them into small pieces. Chocolate and Bourbon always go well together, but some Bourbons are better with the different styles of chocolate.
Bottled Water: Something chlorine free for cleansing the palate and rinsing the glasses between Bourbons.
Once you have decided on what to serve, both Bourbons and foods, get your friends together in a comfortable setting with the food arranged on plates and a Bourbon neat in a tasting glass. I prefer the Glencairn glass for these type of tastings. They are very good tasting glasses that are easy to clean between tastings. Take a sip of Bourbon to get a sense of what it tastes like and then a sip of water. Take a consensus of what you think might pair well with the Bourbon, take a bite of the food and then sip the Bourbon. Cleanse your palate and then try something else. Have fun with it as you experiment with the sweetness of the dried fruit or the tannins of the nuts or the combination of sweetness and tannins from the various chocolates. Take notes if you wish, but try all of the experiences. Some will work better than others. After you ran through all of the foods with the first Bourbon, rinse your glass and move on to the next Bourbon.
An evening of tasting Bourbon and food is fun and educational. You might end up being surprised at how the flavors changed and it might change your mind as to what Bourbon makes the best Manhattan co*cktail or family recipe Bourbon Ball. It will be an experience that you will want to repeat often with different Bourbons and different combinations of food.
Photo Courtesy of Maggie Kimberl
FAQs
Spicy foods: Bourbon's sweetness can quell the spice, creating a balanced bite. Cheese: The creaminess of cheese juxtaposed with bourbon's bite is a palate pleaser. Citrus fruits: A zesty contrast that cleanses the palate. Nuts: Their earthy crunch finds a friend in bourbon's robust profile.
What foods pair well with bourbon? ›
Bourbon pairs well with various appetizers featuring rich, smoky, and salty flavors. Some popular options include bacon-wrapped dates, smoked salmon, cheese platters, and deviled eggs. These appetizers complement bourbon's complex sweetness and warm notes.
What is the best appetizer to pair with bourbon? ›
Appetizers: Explore appetizer options like spicy nuts, charcuterie, or smoked salmon to perfectly complement the rich flavors of bourbon. 2. Main Courses: Pair smoky and woody bourbons with grilled meats, roasted vegetables, or BBQ dishes to enhance the overall dining experience.
What compliments bourbon? ›
To help you make the most of your bourbon pairing, here are some suggestions to consider:
- Dark Chocolate. Bourbon pairs well with dark chocolate because the slightly bitter taste complements the caramel notes of the bourbon.
- Grilled Meats. ...
- Caramel-based Desserts. ...
- Spicy Foods. ...
- Cheese. ...
- Citrus Fruits. ...
- Nuts.
Here are some of the most popular methods:
- Neat. Drinking bourbon neat means enjoying it straight from the bottle at room temperature without any additives. ...
- On the Rocks. If neat bourbon is too strong for your taste, try it on the rocks. ...
- With a Splash of Water. ...
- In co*cktails.
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- Did someone say snacks? Whether you're cosying up with a casual dram or going for the full tasting experience, a little nibble of something sweet or savoury is the ultimate wingman to your whisky. ...
- What snacks pair with whisky? ...
- Cheese. ...
- Meat. ...
- Crackers and crisps. ...
- Chocolate. ...
- Nuts. ...
- 6. Fruits.
10 Sweet Treats That Pair Well With Bourbon And Other Whiskey
- Pecan or pumpkin pie and straight bourbon. ...
- Cannoli and malt whiskey. ...
- Dark chocolate cake and bonded whiskey. ...
- Key lime pie and flavored whiskey. ...
- Apple galette and wheat-based whiskey. ...
- Berry cobbler and sour mash.
Glasses, water, bourbon, snacks. That's all. Glasses: You can use any glasses you have around. Traditionally a glass with a small opening such as a Glencairn or snifter will help to concentrate the aroma but you can get by with white wine glasses, rocks glasses, or even disposable plastic.
What candy goes best with bourbon? ›
If you're going ot eat milk chocolate with bourbon, choose a lower proof whiskey to offset the sweetness of the chocolate and the burn of the alcohol. If you're going to eat candy with bourbon, pick up some dark chocolate.
What fruit goes with bourbon? ›
Dried Fruit: Some cranberries, dates, apricots, apples or even pineapple. Dried fruits concentrate the sugars in the fruit and create some very interesting flavor changes in Bourbon. Fresh Fruits: Orange slices, apples, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and peaches are all good.
For a match made in the American South, the significant natural sweetness of pecans complements almost any bourbon—whether one with wheated sweetness to cleanse the palate or a spicy full-bodied spirit that evokes an almost candied-nut character.
What meat goes with bourbon? ›
BBQ & Bourbon are one of my favorite pairings in the world. They go together better than peanut butter & jelly. We set out to find the best bourbons to pair with the most popular smoked meats. In this case we paired brisket, ribs, pulled pork and sausage with bourbons that are obtainable.
What appetizer pairs well with bourbon? ›
Since that first pairing with just cured ham and whiskey, I and some industry colleagues have added smoked salmon, pastry, chocolate truffles, caramels, hard cheeses, smoked brisket, smoked ribs, cookies and much more to our pairings.
What not to eat with whiskey? ›
Avoid foods that are strong in garlic or overly spicy as these will kill the flavour of any whisky. Spirits with strong flavours often match well with stronger foods and lighter spirits with foods with a lighter flavour profile, but you want the elements to complement each other rather than being too matchy-matchy.
What cheese pairs with bourbon? ›
Bourbon is a type of American whiskey that is made primarily from corn and aged in charred oak barrels. It has a sweet, smooth flavor with notes of vanilla, caramel, and oak. Bourbon pairs well with creamy, nutty cheeses like Gouda and Havarti, as well as sharp cheddars.
What does bourbon go well with? ›
Bourbon mixes well many beverages including cola, soda water, coffee, orange juice, fortified wine, and other spirits. Bourbon is a versatile spirit that can be enjoyed on its own or mixed in a co*cktail.
What should I eat before drinking bourbon? ›
Load up on (healthy) fats
Foods with a higher fat content remain in the stomach for longer – so the longer the belly is 'lined', the slower the alcohol will be absorbed into your blood (and hopefully the less likely you are to feel like death the next morning). Salmon, avocado and nuts are all great options.
What enhances bourbon? ›
Dark Chocolate: Enhances the robust flavors of aged bourbon. Milk Chocolate: Pairs well with wheated bourbon for a smoother experience. White Chocolate: Brings out the vanilla and caramel notes in younger bourbons.
