An Expert Guide to Whisky Food Pairings

Eating and drinking go hand in hand. So, it's only natural to want to enjoy a great glass of whisky with your meal. However, choosing the right whisky to complement your food or selecting the perfect snack to pair with your favourite whisky can be challenging. If the pairing isn't right, it could overpower or ruin the flavours of the whisky. In this article, we'll guide you through what food goes well with whisky. 

Understanding Whisky Flavours

Food comes in a wide range of flavours and tastes. Some combinations just don’t work well together. Think about ice cream and ketchup. While both are enjoyable on their own, together they would create an unpleasant taste. The same concept applies when pairing whisky with food. If the combination isn't right, it can clash with the whisky’s flavours.

Whisky flavours can vary based on several factors: 

• The type of grains used, such as rye or malt. 

• The region where the whisky is produced. 

• The type of casks used for ageing, including oak, sherry or bourbon.

• The length of time the whisky is aged. 

Knowing and understanding these flavours is key to successful whisky food pairings.

Basic Whisky Food Pairings

The basic rule of thumb when pairing whisky with food is to find combinations that share similar qualities. For example, pairing a sweeter whisky with a rich dessert can work well as the sugary flavours complement each other.

A great example of a sweet, full-bodied whisky is The Dalmore 12 Year Old. Its time spent ageing in bourbon and sherry casks gives it a balanced mix of sweetness and rich, sherried flavours. Sipping this alongside a sticky toffee pudding or a chocolate cake creates a beautiful pairing as they share a comforting sweetness.

Another approach is to pair contrasting flavours. The Laphroaig 10 Year Old is a peated and smoky whisky from the Scottish region of Islay. Pairing this with a lemon-infused salmon creates a striking contrast. The fresh citrus cuts through the intense smokiness of the salmon, resulting in a refreshing taste. 

What Food Goes With Whisky

Savoury Whisky Food Pairings

Whisky can be paired with a wide variety of foods. One of the easiest combinations is whisky and cheese. If you're hosting a gathering, a cheese board with a selection of smoked meats is a foolproof way to impress your guests. This savoury combination is the secret to unlocking deeper flavours in your favourite whisky. 

Here is what to include on your cheese board:

• Aged cheese: Cheddar, gouda and blue cheese are great choices. You can also include creamy options such as Brie or Camembert. These cheeses offer a range of textures and flavours, from the nutty sharpness of cheddar to the creamy texture of Brie.

• Smoked Meats: Choose a mix of smoked meats, such as salmon, prosciutto, smoked chicken or pork.

• Light Snacks: Add some nuts, such as almonds or cashews and dried fruit, such as apricots or figs. This sweet and salty combination will compliment a variety of whisky flavours. 

Recommended whisky for savoury pairing: 

• Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old: Has tasting notes of honey and a nutty sweetness that perfectly enhances the savouriness of cheese and smoked meats.

• Laphroaig 10 Year Old: The bold, peaty smoke of this whisky cuts through the cheese, creating a pleasant contrast. 

Sweet Whisky Food Pairings 

One of the easiest and most enjoyable courses to pair with whisky is dessert. Whisky pairs wonderfully with desserts that have sweetness or spice. While pairing a sweet whisky with a sweet dessert is a natural choice, you can take it a step further by combining desserts and whiskies that share similar flavours. For example, pairing a caramel-based dessert with a whisky that has caramel notes creates a seamless match.

Bourbons are particularly great for food pairings because they work well with both sweet and spicy flavours, making them versatile for a variety of dishes. Try bourbon with desserts, such as apple pie or vanilla ice cream for a sweet combination.

Recommended whisky for sweet pairing: 

• Nikka Coffey Grain Japanese Whisky: This is a Japanese whisky that is on the sweeter side with a flavour profile of notes of mango, toffee and honey. This would pair nicely with a desert such as Crème Brûlée. The caramelised sugar and creamy texture mirror the whisky’s sweetness. 

• Redbreast 12 Year Old: A single malt that has been aged in a mix of bourbon and sherry casks. It has a flavour of sweet sherry, nuts and tropical fruit. This would go well with a warm apple crumble as the fruity notes of the whisky complement the apples and spices in the dessert.

Find Your Perfect Pairing at Lochs of Whisky

At Lochs of Whisky, we believe that the joy of whisky comes from the experience of discovering the perfect pairings. We offer a wide range of whiskies from around the globe, with something to suit every palate and pairing. Visit Lochs of Whisky for inspiration on your next whisky pairing. In our collection you will find a bottle to go with your cheeseboard or at your next dinner party. Don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.