Category: Whisky & Cheese Page 1 of 3

Whisky & Cheese

A look at all the blog posts dedicated whisky & cheese pairings. Innovative pairing suggestions and how to make a cheese platter. From Gouda to Wensleydale as well as what bourbon and cheese work best together.

The Perfect Pairings of Bourbon and Cheese

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 07/01/2024

In Whisky & Cheese

The Perfect Pairings of Bourbon and Cheese to try
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.

Aged Cheddar and Bourbon Whiskey

Bourbon and aged cheddar Cheese 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 and Bourbon Whiskey

Bourbon and Blue Cheese pairing

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 and Bourbon Whiskey

Bourbon and Gouda Cheese pairing
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 and Bourbon Whisky

Bourbon and Monterey Jack Cheese pairing
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.

Brie and Camembert cheese and Bourbon Whiskey

> Bourbon and Brie Cheese pairing
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.

Laphroaig Whisky and Stilton Cheese Pairing

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 12/13/2019

In Whisky & Cheese

Whisky and Stilton cheese pairing is something that I see coming past my social media feed regularly, and I decided to try it. So this past weekend, John bought a wedge of Blue Stilton cheese, his favourite cheese, from Checkers, who have a wide variety of unique cheeses.

I paired it with a Laphroaig 10 year old Cask Strength< and tweeted about it. I received such a positive response to the tweet that I decided to write a post about this fantastic whisky and cheese pairing. Traditionally people eat Stilton at Christmas, pared with pears and a glass of port.

I found some research recommendations that peaty whisky works very well paired with either Roquefort cheese or Blue Stilton. Stilton cheese is an English cheese produced in Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire and made according to a code that goes back to 1730.

The renowned Blue cheese is known for its pungent smell and taste. Both Blue and White Stilton cheeses are granted protected status, meaning that only cheeses produced in these three counties can carry the name Stilton.

As a result, the town bearing its name can not make Stilton! It takes 78 litres of milk to make 8 kg of Stilton cheese, and the blue veins running through the cheese are its most distinctive feature.

Related Article: How to make Sangria

Laphroaig Whisky and Cheese Pairing

The Laphroaig 10 year old single malt whisky is a pretty unique whisky in my collection. The ABV is an impressive 55.7%. A big whisky in the best Laphroaig tradition. Bold peat flavour, followed by smoke, iodine and seaweed. The Laphroaig single malt Scotch matched the Blue Stilton brilliantly.

In terms of the whisky and Stilton cheese pairing, the strong taste of the Stilton complements the smoke and peat of the Laphroaig. In addition, it brings out the creamy, buttery flavour of the cheese in a remarkable way.

I give this Laphroaig 10 yo whisky and Stilton cheese pairing a RATING: DIVINE. I was interested to understand why this whisky and cheese pairing works so well. Research indicates that when the main volatile molecules of the two foods are the same, they should work well together.

There is also an element of balance between the astringency of the two foods that make them fit. It is probably why these two work so well together. A perfect pairing. The best I have ever tried.
I have done a side by side comparison between the Laphroaig 10 year old and the Quarter cask whisky to see how they differ.

Other delicious whisky cheese pairings to try:

Whisky and Appenzeller Cheese

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 07/11/2018

In Whisky & Cheese

Appenzeller Cheese and whisky pairings that work
For World Whisky day, I planned a whole whisky inspired menu. From a cocktail made with Tomintoul 10 yo whisky, whisky infused chicken to a whisky cheese pairing. I wanted to celebrate whisky from around the world. The chicken was infused with a Bain’s whisky marinade, and for the whisky cheese pairing, I chose the Paul John Classic Cask Select whisky and Appenzeller cheese.

When I do a whisky cheese pairing, I usually start with the cheese first and then look at what whisky will work with the cheese. This time, I chose the whisky first and then went to find a cheese that works.

The cheese I chose was an Appenzeller full fat semi-hard cheese from Switzerland. Appenzeller has a documented history of at least 700 years. Today, about 75 dairies produce it, each with a different recipe for their brine wash.

I chose this cheese because of the smooth texture and fruity, nutty flavours. The Appenzeller was only aged for around 3-4 months, so it is quite young with mild spicy notes. Made from cow’s milk this hard cheese is produced in the Appenzell region of Switzerland.

Also Read: My Favourite Margarita Recipe

A herbal brine, sometimes incorporating wine or cider, is applied to the wheels of cheese while they cure, which flavours and preserves the cheese while promoting the formation of a rind.

After the weekend, there was still some cheese left. The pairing with the Paul John whisky was delicious, but I wanted to try a few more whisky and Appenzeller cheese pairings. So I grabbed a few more bottles of whisky and started experimenting. This is one of the loveliest cheeses to pair with whisky. Any of the medium-bodied, sweeter style whiskies should pair well with this cheese.

Whisky and Appenzeller Cheese Pairings

Santis Malt Alpstein Edition No 7 Whisky

Appenzeller Cheese and Santis malt whisky pairing
What grows together, goes together. The first whisky I wanted to pair with this cheese was something from the same region in Switzerland. The Locher brewery has been owned and run by the Locher family for five generations. Situated in Appenzell, close to Liechtenstein, they have produced beer and spirits for more than 100 years.

The Alpstein Edition no 7 whisky matured first in some Old Oak Beer Casks and was finished for two years in Sherry Casks. My tasting notes for this world whisky release included notes of sherry, fresh fruits and vanilla. There are some very unusual crème brûlée notes that soften when you add water.

What a great pairing. The combination is creamy and soft and brings more fruit out in the whisky. The Santis Malts works perfectly with this cheese, and I gave it a RATING: 4.5 /5

Paul John Classic Cask Select Whisky

Appenzeller Cheese and Paul John Classic Cask Whisky pairing
My tasting notes for this Indian release include hints of freshly baked apple pie sprinkled with cinnamon sugar, barley, faint hints of vanilla and candied fruits. The Paul John Classic Cask Select whisky has the perfect balance between spice and sweetness.

Another great pairing. The cheese brought more wood out of the whisky and enriched the spiciness. It created a rich, delicious experience. I give this pairing a RATING: 4/5

Dewar’s 15 yo Blended Whisky

Appenzeller Cheese and Dewar's 15 year old whisky pairing
A great affordable blend, this Dewar’s 15 yo Monarch whisky has notes of fresh fruit salad with apples, melons and pears, honey nicely balanced with oak spices, orange peel, wood, and vanilla.

Easy drinking and rewarding this is a great whisky to pair with cheese. And it worked so well with the Appenzeller. The whisky cut through the butteriness of the cheese and created an enjoyable experience. RATING: 4/5

Cardhu 12 yo Whisky

Appenzeller Cheese and Cardhu 12 yo pairing
This Speyside classic is full of honey sweetness, malt, fruits with hints of vanilla. Toasted dry oak, ripe pears, honey, toffee apples and pepper with faint hints of vanilla. Pairing the Cardhu 12 yo whisky with the cheese created a more fruity whisky drinking experience.

The Appenzeller also brought more wood out of the whisky and the whisky enhanced the buttery creaminess of the cheese. Another great pairing. RATING: 4/5

A very successful pairing experiment. This cheese will probably not stand up to a smoky, peaty Islay or Highland dram, but for Speyside (and softer world whisky) drams, this is perfect. Have you paired this great cheese with any whisky? What did you think?

Also Read: Nectarine Bourbon Smash

Whisky and Wensleydale Cheese Pairing

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 09/20/2017

In Whisky & Cheese

Whisky and Wensleydale Cheese Pairing to try
This past couple of weekend I have been testing a lot of whisky and cheese pairings again. After the craziness that was June and July, weekends have slowed down and lefts some space for experimenting.

I was sitting back, grabbing a few whiskies, opening up some interesting cheese and in general just relaxing a bit. I tried a goats cheese and bourbon pairings, but that elicited a slightly negative response from John.

He hates goats cheese and no bourbon and goats cheese pairing worked for him. Me, well I love goats cheese and appreciated all the pairings. I served it with some crusty baguettes and thought it was fabulous. The next weekend we moved on to a Wensleydale cheese with cranberries.

Also Read: Nectarine Bourbon Smash

Previously I paired a Wensleydale cheese with mango and ginger with some Glenkinchie 12 year old whisky, and it was a great pairing.

French Cistercian monks from the Roquefort region, who had settled in Wensleydale, first made Wensleydale cheese. When the monastery dissolved, the local farmers continued making the cheese-making tradition.

Wensleydale cheese is traditionally firm and creamy with sweet notes. It is a great cheese to pair with fruit. This Wensleydale with cranberries is from Somerset and a crumbly semi-hard cheese. The cranberries add a zesty note to the flavour. So let’s try a few bold and exciting whisky and Wensleydale cheese pairings

Whisky and Wensleydale cheese pairing

Glenfarclas 12 year old Whisky

Glenfarclas 12yo Whisky and Wensleydale cheese pairing
The first pairing was the sherried Glenfarclas 12 year old whisky. Tasting notes for the Speyside classic single malt Scotch include notes of fruitcake, raisins, oak and spice. The sweetness of the Glenfarclas complimented the sweetness of the cheese and made for a creamy combination. The tart cranberry notes got a bit lost in all the sweetness. RATING: 3/5

Johnnie Walker Swing Blended Whisky

Johnnie Walker Swing Whisky and Wensleydale cheese pairing
A Johnnie Walker blended Scotch with hints of peat, dried fruits, tobacco and leather. There are bits of sherry sweetness with some ginger in the Swing. The peaty smoke worked well with the creamy, rich cheese and created a comforting and delicious pairing. RATING: 3.5/5

Also Read: Pina Colada Cocktail

Glenmorangie Sonnalta Whisky

Glenmorangie Sonnalta PX Whisky and Wensleydale cheese pairing
After spending ten years maturing in American white oak casks, the Sonnalta PX is transferred into PX casks for its final two years of extra-maturation. This makes it a sweet dram with hints of dried fruits, honey and spices. The pairing of the Glenmorangie Sonnalta PX with the Wensleydale is fantastic. The cream of the cheese and the body of the whisky are perfectly paired to make for a delicious combination. RATING: 4/5

Macallan 15 year old Fine Oak Whisky

Macallan Fine Oak 15 yo Whisky and Wensleydale cheese pairing
The Macallan Fine Oak 15 year old whisky boasts notes of oak and orange blossom sweetness barley, vanilla sweetness mixed with some pepper spice and nutmeg. It is big and bold, and I was scared that it would overwhelm this cheese, but the pairing was excellent. Creamy and elegant with bright tart notes from the cranberry. RATING: 4/5

What is your favourite whisky to pair with a creamy Wensleydale?

Also Read: Peaty whisky and blue cheese pairings

How to pair whisky and cheese

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 07/20/2016

In Whisky & Cheese

Whisky and Cheese pairing for dessert
You love cheese. You love whisky. Over the weekend, a few like-minded friends are coming over for dinner. Why not try a small whisky and cheese pairing to end the meal! It is a great way to end a meal, especially in winter.

Whisky is an excellent accompaniment to food and pairs wonderfully with cheese. End your dinner party on something different. Be bold and experiment. However, the choices are overwhelming. There are so many different options available.

How do you put the right dessert pairing together? How you do pair perfectly on a budget? Today, I will do an easy step by step guide on setting up a dessert platter. With easy to find cheeses and a few versatile whiskies that will pair nicely with the cheese.

Easy steps on how to pair whisky and cheese

Step 1: Define your budget

It does not matter if your budget is big or small. There are amazing whiskies in the affordable price bracket that pair wonderfully with cheese. Both local and imported. Both single malts and blends.

In South Africa, we are fortunate that there are delicious local cheeses available. Depending on the number of people you invite, I would recommend 2 or 3 cheeses for an after-dinner platter. Paired with 2 or 3 whiskies.

Step 2: Think about the cheese

Whisky and Cheese dessert cheese
Think about the cheeses you and your guests would enjoy. Do you taste buds prefer an aged Cheddar or a simple Blue cheese? Or perhaps a creamy Camembert? Does your guest like soft or hard cheese?

You can stick to an aged Cheddar or Gouda or be more adventurous with a smelly Blue or a soft Camembert. The choice is up to you.

Step 3: Choose a whisky or two

Whisky and Cheese dessert whisky all whisky
The general rule is to match a strong tasting cheese with a robust whisky and a milder cheese with a softer whisky. Another option is to pair a harder cheese with a lighter whisky and a creamier cheese with a heavier whisky. It’s all about finding a balance of texture and complexity.

Match flavour with flavour. Pair a fruitier cheese with a fruity whisky or an earthy cheese with a peaty whisky. A win-win situation is if you can find a versatile whisky that will pair well with two different kinds of cheese.

Also Read: Self-Saucing Whisky Chocolate Pudding

Step 4: Choose a few accompaniments

Whisky Cheese dessert accompaniment condiments
Adding a few accompaniments not only gives colour but increases enjoyment. Add a few crackers and breadsticks. Grapes, caramelized nuts, dried fruits, fresh strawberries and olives allow more texture. Even a bit of fruit preserve will work nicely. Mix a few salty and sweet items. It allows for a greater taste explosion.

Step 5: Serving suggestions

Have a separate knife for each cheese, especially the soft varieties. Soft cheese spreads well with a butter knife; firm cheese might need a paring knife
Remove the cheese from the refrigerator an hour before serving
For a nice variety choose one hard cheese like Cheddar or Gouda and one soft cheese like a Brie, Camembert or Blue cheese.
Serve at least one familiar cheese
Experiment with different options.

A few suggestions

A peated whisky with an aged Cheddar or Blue cheese

A peated dram is a great match for strong cheese. South Africa’s very own Three Ships 5 yo pair wonderfully with blue cheese. You can also look at an Ardbeg or Lagavulin or even a Talisker to pair with strong cheeses. These full-bodied whiskies can stand up to the strong earthy character of the cheese.

Cheese smooth out the peaty nature of the dram and the peaty whisky help to break down the creamy richness of a mature Cheddar or Blue Tower cheese.

Fruitier whisky and Camembert or Gouda

Softer, fruit-focused whisky works marvellously with softer cheese. Lowland releases like the Glenkinchie or rum cask finish drams like the Balvenie Caribbean Rum all fall into this category. Even the South African favourite grain whisky, Bain’s whisky whisky will work. The softer fruity notes of these whiskies pair well with a soft Camembert or a Brie Cheese. The two elements match and balance each other perfectly.

Which of these pairings would be your favourite dessert choice?

Also Read: Jura Origin & Comté Cheese