One of our favourite Saturday afternoon activities is experimenting with whisky and cheese. Here in Mauritius, many interesting cheeses are available, allowing for lots of experiments.
Our favourite pairings include peated whisky with strong blue-type cheeses and softer cheeses with grain whisky. Lately, I have also been experimenting more with bourbon whiskey and cheese pairings.
Bourbon whisky and cheese, when paired thoughtfully, can elevate your tasting experience to new heights.
Let’s delve into the art of pairing bourbon whiskey with cheese.
Bourbon is an American whiskey made primarily from corn and aged in charred oak barrels. It boasts a complex flavour profile characterized by notes of caramel, vanilla, oak, and sometimes even a hint of spice.
Bourbon’s rich and robust nature makes it an ideal companion for various types of cheese, each contributing its own distinct flavour and texture to the pairing.
Previously, I paired aged cheddar with Scottish Highland whisky. The bold Highland profile worked well with the sharp, nutty, and tangy profile of aged cheddar. Cheddar cheese is a hard, dense, and solid cheese with a flaky texture that becomes more intense as it ages.
When you choose a bourbon to pair with cheddar, you need to look for something rich and robust that complements the cheese’s boldness.
Good pairings include the Buffalo Trace and the Elijah Craig 12 year old or the 1792 Bourbon. Buffalo Trace has a spicy, oak-forward profile with undertones of marmalade and a subtle hint of cinnamon. This bourbon perfectly matches the bold, tangy aged cheddar cheese.
The Elijah Craig 12 year old bourbon whiskey has notes of citrus peel, nutmeg and pepper and is bold enough for an aged cheddar.
Even a spicier rye whiskey will work well with aged cheddar.
Also Read: Jura Whisky and Comté Cheese
Blue cheese is not everyone’s cup of tea. Its creamy texture and pungent, earthy flavours can quickly overwhelm your taste buds. Aged blue cheese like Stilton or Roquefort is delicious when paired with peaty whiskies from Islay.
To make this bourbon and cheese pairing work, you need to find a whiskey that can withstand the pungent notes. Someone suggested Woodford Reserve bourbon with blue cheese, but for me, the cheese overpowered the whiskey.
I would rather pair blue cheese with Wild Turkey 101 bourbon or the Blantons Gold Edition bourbon. The pairing must be big and bold to create a good balance.
The bold oak, fudge, cinnamon, and chocolate-covered oranges in Blanton’s Gold bourbon balance out the pungent cheese to create a creamy symphony.
Gouda is a semi-soft cheese from the Netherlands with a nutty and buttery flavour that pairs well with Scottish whisky. I have paired it with Highland Park, Tomatin, and even a Millstone whisky from the Netherlands.
You need something smooth and medium-bodied to pair it with bourbon to balance the buttery notes. A Makers Mark bourbon makes a great pairing with the Gouda cheese. The wood and vanilla notes, combined with the inherent sweetness in the Makers Mark, slice through the creamy Gouda, bringing its nutty flavours to the forefront.
Other pairing suggestions include the Eagle Rare bourbon.
Monterey Jack cheese is a white, semi-hard cheese made from cow’s milk with a mild sweetness and a soft and buttery texture. It provides the perfect backdrop for a smooth and approachable bourbon. A softer, fruity bourbon will work best with the gentle character of a Monterey Jack.
My favourite pairing with a Monterey Jack was the Uncle Nearest 1856 Edition bourbon whiskey. Another option is the Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Select Tennessee whiskey. It’s not a bourbon, I know, but I am taking a bit of creative liberty.
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One of my favourite pairings is a creamy Brie or Camembert cheese with Bain’s single-grain whisky. Finding a bourbon alternative was more difficult.
A Brie or Camembert cheese is a soft cheese with a rich, buttery flavour. Their luscious texture and delicate flavours need a delicate balance to ensure the pairing is decadent and delightful.
A WL Weller bourbon or a Woodford Reserve Double Oaked works well. Taking some creative liberty, I also paired a camembert with some Woodford Reserve Rye whiskey, which was a good pairing.
Pairing bourbon and cheese is about more than just mixing and matching flavours. It’s about finding a balance where each element enhances the other. It is also influenced by personal taste and palate; the best way to experiment is to try different combinations.
The art of pairing bourbon whiskey with cheese is a journey of discovery and delight. Whether you prefer bold and tangy or creamy and indulgent, there’s a perfect pairing waiting to be explored.
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I was excited when I saw this hoping the bourbon descriptions would have been a little more descriptive for both matched bourbons.
I’m on the hunt for a brand of bourbon I had a shot of, served neat, almost 20 years ago, that went down so warm and smooth. From what I can remember it had a nice caramel flavor with a hint of vanilla followed by a warm buttery, guess that would equate to a nutty flavor. I didn’t think to ask what it was called, but I can remember it cost $25 a shot! This I can remember because I was going to order me a second one (the first was bought for me) I was young with two kids back then, so I was like, guess I’m just savoring that aftertaste! 😂
Over the years since, I’ve tried a few different top shelf labels when on sale. Buy they weren’t enjoyable at all and burned on the way down.