Costco Connection | August | For Your Table | Make a match
Bourbon pairs well with a variety of food.
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Make a match
Expert tips to pair bourbon with food
When people think of pairing alcohol and food, they often think in terms of matching wine with meals. But bourbon has a wide variety of flavors, from citrus to spicy and sweet to rich, that can pair perfectly with food. Matching the right bourbon with the right food can really enhance a meal.
Here’s what experts from two of our longtime suppliers have to say:
Similar to wine pairings
Elizabeth McCall, Woodford Reserve assistant master distiller, says, “Like the tradition of wine pairings, it’s a good idea to look at the taste descriptors of the bourbon or whiskey before pairing it with food. If your food is spicy, you might want to pair it with a rye whiskey that has more spice character. If your food is sweet, such as a dessert, you should go with a more sweet, aromatic-forward bourbon. It is also a good idea to start out with lighter flavors and food items, and work your way up to bigger, bolder flavor profiles.
“One showstopper food pairing that I have found is aged cheeses, since they can soften the ethanol [in the bourbon] and allow you to experience more of the flavors in the whiskey. Another of my favorite food pairings with Woodford Reserve is an orange slice. I love to see how the fleshy part of the orange brings out some of the more bright and crisp notes you find in our bourbon.”
Match intensities
“Generally speaking, there are no rules when it comes to pairings—just have fun and enjoy the combinations you like,” says Rob Samuels, eighth-generation whiskey maker and managing director for Maker’s Mark Distillery. “However, to get started, try to match intensity in both the food and bourbon you are pairing. For example, ‘light and bright’ bourbons such as Maker’s Mark pair well with items from the deli or charcuterie boards.
“Richer bourbons, like Maker’s 46, pair well with dark, fatty, intense flavors. For those planning a cookout this summer, pair [it] with a smoked brisket or glazed ribs. For dessert, it pairs incredibly well with dark chocolate that has an almond, orange or stone fruit incorporated.”
If the bourbon pairing concept is new to you, start with a sip of bourbon before you taste any food. Then take small sips of bourbon while you still have a bit of the food on your palate to get the full effect. The main thing is to have fun and enjoy the experience with others. There are unlimited great pairings to discover. Cheers to new discoveries!
Costco Connection: You’ll find a range of bourbons in select Costco warehouses.
Curtis Adamson is a buyer in Costco’s wine, beer and spirits program.
