Patrick Oconnell
Whisky and cheese are a classic pairing, but which whiskies go with which cheeses? There are a few basic rules to consider when pairing whisky and cheese. Whisky experts recommend looking for a complement or a contrast between the two. The old adage goes that stronger whiskies generally pair well with harder cheeses, while peated whiskies need big flavours such as blue cheese. Softer cheeses, on the other hand, call for a light and delicate whisky so as not to overpower the cheese.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cheese and whisky pairing | The fat in the cheese balances the strength of the alcohol |
| Pairing tips | Look for a complement or a contrast, a bridge that will facilitate the marriage between the solid and the liquid |
| Whisky for soft cheese | Glenmorangie 18 Year Old, Glenlivet XXV, Auchroisk 10 Year Old, Compass Box’s Spice Tree, Aberlour 12 Year Old, Maker's Mark Cask Strength, Laphroaig Lore's |
| Soft cheese | Brie, Camembert, Epoisses, Mont d’Or, Crottin de Chavignol, Sainte-Maure-de-Touraine |
| Whisky for hard cheese | Dalmore 15, Nikka 12 Year Old, Balvenie Caribbean Cask 14 Year Old, Bushmills Black Bush, Woodford Reserve Rye, Royal Lochnagar 16 Year Old |
| Hard cheese | Cheddar, Parmigiano Reggiano, Gruyère, Gouda |
| Whisky for blue cheese | Highland Park, Captain's Reserve, Ardbeg Wee Beastie 5-year-old, 47.4% ABV |
| Blue cheese | Stilton, Taleggio |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- Soft cheeses with white mould rind, like brie, go well with light whiskies
- Hard cheeses, like cheddar, are good with strong whiskies
- Blue cheeses, like stilton, pair well with full-bodied malts
- Goat's cheese is a good match for rich, sweet whiskies
- Gouda is a versatile cheese that pairs with many whiskies
Soft cheeses with white mould rind, like brie, go well with light whiskies
Soft cheeses with white mould rinds, such as brie, are known for their subtle flavours, which can include notes of hazelnuts, butter, cream, and mushroom. When pairing cheese with whisky, it's important to remember that softer cheeses need a light and delicate whisky to avoid overpowering the cheese.
For this reason, soft cheeses with white mould rinds pair well with light whiskies such as Glenmorangie 18 Year Old, which has a subtle palate of honey, dates, and fresh figs, creating a perfect balance with the cheese. Another excellent option is the Auchroisk 10 Year Old, which has sweet and soft characteristics that beautifully complement the milky and sweet flavours of soft cheeses like camembert.
If you're feeling adventurous, you could also try pairing these soft cheeses with the Aberlour 12 Year Old or the Compass Box Spice Tree. While these whiskies have more robust flavours, they can still work well with soft cheeses, especially those with washed rinds, such as France's famous Epoisses, which has a strong aroma and a punchy flavour profile.
For a truly exceptional pairing, consider serving your soft cheese with a whisky that has been finished in special casks, such as the Macallan 15 Year Old Fine Oak. This whisky is seasoned in sherry and bourbon oak casks, resulting in rich chocolate flavours with hints of raisins and orange that will beautifully enhance the creamy and nutty characteristics of goat cheeses often found in the soft cheese category.
Cheese and Kidney Stones: A Healthy Combination?
You may want to see also
Hard cheeses, like cheddar, are good with strong whiskies
While there are no set rules when it comes to food and drink pairings, hard cheeses, like cheddar, are a good match for strong whiskies. Cheddar is a classic, full of character, and often rich, deep, sharp, and fruity. The Glenlivet 12 Year Old is a good whisky to pair with cheddar because of its fruity flavours and strong pineapple notes. Similarly, the fruity and woody Dalmore 15 also works beautifully with cheddar.
For a harder blue cheese, a full-bodied and complex malt is a good partner. The rich and mellow flavour of Stilton, for example, pairs well with the rich, oaky characteristics of Highland Park whisky. The dark fruits on the palate and gentle peaty notes of this whisky also complement the sharpness of Stilton.
If you're looking for a whisky to pair with a harder, cooked cheese, try a Japanese whisky like Nikka 12 Year Old. Its dark chocolate and fruitcake flavours will augment the fruity and nutty qualities of a hard cheese like Italy's Parmigiano Reggiano.
Strong whiskies generally have a more robust mouthfeel, which is why they pair well with harder cheeses. However, it's important to find a 'bridge' between the whisky and cheese—a fruit, spice, nut, type of bread, or biscuit that will facilitate the marriage between the two.
Cheese Before Bed: Good or Bad for Teeth?
You may want to see also
Blue cheeses, like stilton, pair well with full-bodied malts
Blue cheese is not to everyone's taste, but it is a style of cheese that keeps on giving. It can range from mild and creamy to bold, crumbly, sharp, and tangy. Blue cheeses, like Stilton, are well-rounded and sweeter than salty, tangy Gorgonzola or Roquefort. They are also creamier and nuttier than other blue cheeses.
Blue cheeses, like Stilton, are often served on a cheeseboard with apples and pears. The gentle sweetness of these fruits pairs well with the acidity of the cheese. This classic combination is emulated in the pairing of Caribbean Reserve whisky and Stilton. The whisky is finished in barrels that previously contained Caribbean rum, giving it a tropical twist. The smoothness and finish of the whisky work well with the sharpness of the blue cheese, while the sweet aromas of pear and red apple complement the cheese's nuttiness.
Full-bodied malts, such as stouts and porters, also pair well with blue cheeses. The roasted malt flavours complement the creaminess of the cheese and moderate its acidity. Bourbon barrel-aged stouts, in particular, offer sweetness, chocolate, and vanilla notes that create a complementary smokiness when paired with blue cheese.
In addition to whisky and beer, blue cheeses can be paired with fruit spreads, chutneys, and savory jams. Fresh figs, fruit cake, honey, and mango are all excellent pairings for Stilton. The sweetness of these accompaniments balances out the saltiness and spiciness of the blue cheese.
Cheese and Potassium: A Healthy Pairing
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Goat's cheese is a good match for rich, sweet whiskies
Whisky and cheese is a classic pairing, with many different combinations to try. While there are no rules when it comes to food and drink, some pairings are more harmonious than others. One such combination is goats cheese with rich, sweet whiskies.
Goats cheese, or chèvre, is known for its tangy, earthy flavour and creamy, soft texture. It is a very popular cheese, often used in salads, on pizzas, and on fancy cheese boards. Its distinctive flavour can be a bit of an acquired taste, with some finding it gamey. However, its strong flavour profile and creamy texture make it a delicious pairing with whisky.
When it comes to whisky, goats cheese pairs particularly well with rich, sweet varieties. The Captain's Reserve whisky, for example, is a rich Scotch finished in cognac casks. It has sweet, succulent flavours and aromas of honey, which complement the tangy notes of goats cheese. Similarly, Compass Box Hedonism, a blended grain whisky with notes of shortbread, coconut, and vanilla, is a good match for honey goat cheese. The creamy texture of this whisky also helps to balance the creaminess of the cheese.
In addition to Scotch whisky, goats cheese pairs well with rum. The Funk Jamaican Rum, for example, is a sweet rum with a dry finish and notes of banana bread and tropical fruit. The sweetness of the rum is a good match for the tanginess of the cheese. Another option is the Neptune Rum Barbados Gold, a smooth rum aged in bourbon casks. Its notes of toffee and caramel, which give way to vanilla and tobacco, create an interesting flavour profile when paired with goats cheese.
When pairing whisky and goats cheese, it is important to consider the strength and flavour of both elements. Neither should overpower the other, and the goal is to match their intensity so that they complement each other. So, the next time you're enjoying a whisky and cheese night, be sure to give goats cheese and rich, sweet whisky a try!
Cheese and Heartburn: A Risky Relationship
You may want to see also
Gouda is a versatile cheese that pairs with many whiskies
Whisky and cheese is a match made in heaven. While there are no rules when it comes to food and drink pairings, as everyone has different preferences and tastes, whisky and cheese combinations are a fun way to experiment with different flavours. One versatile cheese that pairs well with many whiskies is gouda.
Gouda is a Dutch yellow cheese made from cow's milk. It is named after the city of Gouda in the Netherlands and is one of the most popular cheeses worldwide. Gouda has a rich, unique flavour and a smooth texture. As it ages, it develops a caramel sweetness and a slight crunch from cheese crystals.
When it comes to pairing gouda with whisky, there are several options to consider. Firstly, a Dutch whisky like Millstone French Oak whisky pairs wonderfully with gouda. The whisky's woody spices, subtle floral notes, and hints of cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and barley complement the creaminess of the gouda. The cheese also brings out the smoky and spicy notes in the whisky.
For another option, a Highland single malt whisky can also pair nicely with gouda. The Highland Park 18-year-old single malt Scotch whisky, for example, has notes of honey, toffee, oak, and butterscotch that surprisingly complement the gouda. The whisky brings out more sweetness in the cheese and cuts through its creaminess, creating a well-balanced pairing.
In addition to these pairings, a smoky whisky like Ballantine's Barrel Smooth Scotch can be a great match for a smoky gouda. The whisky's sweet and gently smoky, peaty taste complements the savoury and earthy notes of smoked gouda. This pairing offers a unique flavour experience that disrupts the norm of a traditional cheeseboard.
So, the next time you're enjoying a glass of whisky, consider reaching for a piece of gouda. With its versatility and rich flavour profile, gouda can enhance the tasting experience and create unexpected but delightful flavour combinations.
Cheese and Kidney Health: What's the Verdict?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Some popular whisky and cheese pairings include:
- Glenmorangie 18 Year Old with Brie de Meaux
- Macallan 15 Year Old Fine Oak with Crottin de Chavignol and Sainte-Maure-de-Touraine
- Dalmore 15 with Cheddar
- Compass Box’s Spice Tree with Epoisses
- Royal Lochnagar 16 Year Old with Mont d’Or
- Maker’s Mark Cask Strength with Gouda
- Balvenie Caribbean Cask 14 Year Old with Parmigiano Reggiano
- Woodford Reserve Rye with Gruyère
- Highland Park with Stilton
- Laphroaig Lore with a Smoky Cheese
According to Jackie Thomson, the Ardbeg Distillery visitor centre manager in Islay, the fat in the cheese balances the strength of the alcohol in whisky. Thomson also suggests finding a "bridge" like a fruit, spice, nut, type of bread, or biscuit to facilitate the marriage between the solid and liquid.
While there are no set rules, Gordon Dundas, international brand ambassador at Ian Macleod Distillers, says that the old adage of looking for a complement or a contrast is a good place to start. Dundas also suggests that "peat level, cask maturation and alcohol strength are the three things you should be looking out for" when choosing a cheese. Stronger whiskies generally have a more robust mouthfeel, meaning hard cheeses are usually a good match, whereas peated whiskies need big flavours, such as blue cheeses.
A whisky and cheese tasting night is a great opportunity to try out different pairings and compare them with friends. It is recommended to have a "bridge" food item like a salad with green leaves, chopped walnuts, a dressing with orange juice and zest, and olive oil. You can also set up a date for a whisky and cheese night and sample different pairings to find your favourite combinations.
