How to pair whisky and cheese

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

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

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

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