Whisky & Cheese

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 ReadJura Origin & Comté Cheese


Jeannette Wentzel

View Comments

  • I always just assumed it was cheese & wine, but cheese & anything works really! Will remember this for next time I'm entertaining some classy friends! lol
    #globalblogging

  • Whisky and cheese, life couldn't be any better! I love a blue cheese so I'm going to pair something with that. Thanks for joining us this week on #GlobalBlogging

  • I'm late and not from SA but you definitely inspire me for next weekend BBQ. Could you recommend me something for let's say something peaty (Laphroaig 10 ot Ardbeg 10), something sweet (Glenfiddich 15??) and maybe something soft irish (Bushmills 10)?

    • Morning Leoš, Most of the stronger blue cheeses would work with a Ardbeg 10 or a Laphroaig. I wrote about quite a few cheese pairings if you search the blog. A particular nice pairing is the Laphroaig with Stilton (http://wp.me/p3AkSZ-5K). I have also experimented with a few Irish whiskies and an Irish cheese over here (http://wp.me/p3AkSZ-108). Hope that helps. Jeannette

      • Thank you Jeannette. I went through all your blog and I think I found everything I was looking for. Looking forvard to you next article.

        • Glad you got some inspiration Leoš. Have a great week. Greetings from a cold and wet South Africa

  • I'd go for the Bains paring, I'm curious and want to know more about this whisky cuz my first impression of it way back wasn't to great.

  • I would really like to try the Three Ships 5 yo with cheese pairing

Share
Published by
Jeannette Wentzel

Recent Posts

Remy Martin XO Cognac

Let's change things up. This past weekend, we celebrated a special memory by opening some…

2 weeks ago

Loch Lomond Steam and Fire Whisky

Continuing with my notes from the Loch Lomond distillery visit, I'm diving into the Loch…

3 weeks ago

Chivas Regal 12 vs Glenfiddich 12 year old Whisky

Chivas Regal 12 vs Glenfiddich 12 year old whisky: a battle of two iconic drams.…

1 month ago

Ardbeg Smoketrails Manzanilla Edition whisky

My husband John is a frequent traveller. Recently, he brought home the Ardbeg Smoketrails Manzanilla…

1 month ago

White Horse Blended Scotch Whisky

Over the years, I have explored a variety of affordable whiskies, including releases from India…

2 months ago

Dewar’s White Label vs Famous Grouse Whisky

Looking around my whisky room, I was in the mood for an uncomplicated side-by-side comparison.…

2 months ago