7 Ways to Pair Whisky And Food This Holiday Season

7 Ways to Pair Whisky And Food This Holiday Season

It’s that time of year again, when the lights go up, the presents come out and we all hang shiny paper off dead trees in our living rooms.


Christmas and Thanksgiving have a lot of traditions and perhaps one of the best is the colossal amount of food and drink we consume.

We love the holiday season and decided the best way to celebrate was to bring together the two best aspects of Christmas and Thanksgiving. We created a list of food and Whisky pairings that will truly make you wish it was Christmas every day.

1. Pigs in Blankets + Laphroaig 10

Pigs in Blankets are the ultimate in British Christmas food. They are simple but great; literally, pork wrapped in more pork. What’s not to love? These go down perfectly with a peated and smoky Laphroaig 10 Year Old, one of the best-peated malts around.

The salty, meaty flavor of the Pigs in Blankets goes down perfectly with the smoky, sea salt notes of the Laphroaig.

2. Turkey + Buffalo Trace

The slightly spicy and sweet notes of a good Bourbon go down perfectly with a lovely roast turkey.

Buffalo Trace is one of the best Bourbons available and is packed full of sweet vanilla notes that really come alive alongside some finely cooked turkey. The spicy elements of Bourbon are also fantastic with this meat and add a lovely warmth to it.

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3. Cranberry + AnCnoc 16 Year Old

AnCnoc 16 Year Old is brimming with fruit flavors, which go perfectly with cranberry sauce. It also has a rich, earthy side, full of herbal notes and a nod towards oak wood.

These act as a brilliant backdrop to the sweet and tangy cranberry. Cranberry is already one of the best aspects of any Christmas or Thanksgiving meal, and with a dram of AnCnoc, the flavor is just enhanced.

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4. Stuffing + Auchentoshan 12-Year-Old

Stuffing, with its herby, breaded goodness, is the ideal food to pair with a smooth, light-bodied Auchentoshan. This dram has an easy-going feel to it, which offsets the richness and heavy qualities of good stuffing. It is also packed with fruit that is the perfect companion to stuffing. Auchentoshan 12 Year Old is sweet and mellow, going down wonderfully with a hearty piece of stuffing.

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5. Mince Pies: Glenmorangie The Original

This spicy and fruity Whisky pairs fantastically with mince pies. This is a dessert couple made in heaven. Glenmorangie is brimming with dried fruits, citrus fruits, and lots of cinnamon and nutmeg. It is warming and comforting, which is the best partner for a mince pie.

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6. Pumpkin Pie + Aberlour A’Bunadh

Packed with sherry flavors and lots of rich chocolate notes, Aberlour A’Bunadh pairs wonderfully with a slice of pumpkin pie.

The earthy sweetness of the pumpkin tastes great alongside the warming cinnamon and dark chocolate notes of this dram. The two work in harmony and create the ideal end to any holiday meal.

Aberlour A’Bunadh Batch 59 pairs wonderfully with a slice of pumpkin pie


7. Cheese Platter + Talisker 18 Year Old

If you’re looking to wrap up your meal with a cheese platter and a complementary Whisky, then look no further than Talisker 18 Year Old. It is packed with peat smoke and lots of fruits, making it ideal to enjoy alongside some rich cheeses.

Every flavor that goes well with cheese can be found in this expression, which focuses on orchard fruits, raisins, pepper spice, and sea salt, all with a lovely peated background.

What's your favorite combination? Let us know in the comments! Happy holidays!

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