Cheese And Bourbon: A Match Made In Heaven

The versatility of a cheese plate makes it a perfect centrepiece for any get-together. While wine and cheese pairings are popular, and beer and cheese is gaining traction, a carefully curated cheese plate can be taken to the next level with a few fingers of bourbon on the side. Bourbon, with its rich heritage and variety, brings a spectrum of flavours to the table, from smooth, sweet caramel to bold, spicy oaky depths. The high fat content in cheese stands up to the proof of the bourbon, and the two together create a complex interplay of flavours and textures.

Blue cheese and Woodford Reserve

Blue cheese is a strong and pungent cheese with a sharp and tangy flavour. It has a creamy texture that can stand up to robust drinks. This makes it a perfect match for the full-bodied character of Woodford Reserve, a distinguished bourbon with a complex profile of dried fruit, toffee, and a melange of spices.

Woodford Reserve is a premium bourbon with a perfectly balanced taste of more than 200 detectable flavour notes. It has bold grain and wood flavours, as well as sweet aromatics, spice, and fruit and floral notes. The bourbon's high rye content gives it a spicier and more robust flavour compared to other bourbons. Its rich and full-bodied taste, with notes of dried fruit, vanilla, and toasted oak, creates a harmonious blend of flavours and textures when paired with blue cheese.

The boldness of the blue cheese elevates the sensory experience of Woodford Reserve. The creamy texture of the cheese intermingles with the rich, velvety feel of the bourbon, resulting in a delightful dance of flavours. The sharp and tangy notes of the cheese amplify the bourbon's underlying vanilla and caramel nuances, bringing them to the forefront.

This pairing is a captivating exploration of bold and rich flavours, a journey for the senses that appeals to those who enjoy intensity and depth. It is a harmonious blend of flavours and textures, where the boldness of the blue cheese enhances the complexity of Woodford Reserve.

Aged hard cheese, like Gouda or Parmigiano-Reggiano

Aged hard cheeses, like Gouda or Parmigiano-Reggiano, are excellent choices to pair with bourbon. According to Julian Van Winkle, president of Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery, aged Gouda is his favourite cheese to pair with his family's bourbon. Aged Gouda imparts a smoky flavour, which makes it a natural pairing with bigger oak and smoky bourbons.

Aged hard cheeses also go well with higher rye content bourbons. The smokiness of the whisky is determined by how the peat is burned to dry the barley in the whisky recipe, and rye whiskies are characteristically more spicy and full-bodied with flavour notes of earth. The dynamic flavour of rye whiskey is a great match for rich cheeses, like Camembert-style.

When it comes to the proof of the bourbon, lower-proof bourbons are generally recommended for cheese pairings as they won't numb your taste buds. Aged cheeses tend to pair better with bourbons that are under 100 proof, with 80 to 90 proof being the ideal range. However, richer double- or triple-crème cheeses can handle higher-proof bourbons as they can soften their sharpness.

To enhance your tasting experience, it is recommended to allow the cheese to come to room temperature before serving, as this is optimal for flavour.

Sharp aged cheddar and fruity bourbon

A sharp aged cheddar is often a crowd favourite when it comes to cheese and bourbon pairings. This type of cheese goes well with sweet, fruity bourbons, creating a delightful contrast in flavours. The sharpness of the cheddar can also stand up to a spicy rye bourbon or an aged bourbon.

When selecting a sharp aged cheddar for this pairing, look for a cheese that is grassy, bright, and sharp with a caramelized nutty flavour. Cabot Clothbound Cheddar is a recommended choice for its bright and sharp flavour profile.

For the bourbon, choose a fruity variety with notes of caramel and vanilla. These sweeter notes will complement the sharpness of the cheddar. Some recommended bourbons for this pairing include Four Roses Single Barrel, Buffalo Trace, and Maker's Mark.

To enhance the experience, consider adding some sweet Italian sausage and apples to your plate. The sweetness of the sausage and the crispness of the apples will provide a delightful contrast to the sharpness of the cheddar and the fruity notes of the bourbon.

When setting up your tasting, plan to remove the cheese from the refrigerator about 30 minutes before serving. This will allow the cheese to come to room temperature, resulting in optimal flavour. Provide plain crackers and water to cleanse the palate between tastings, and feel free to add some roasted nuts, dried fruit, or fresh grapes as accompaniments.

Soft cheese, like brie or camembert, and Maker's Mark

Soft cheeses like brie or camembert are a perfect match for a lower-proof bourbon like Maker's Mark. The high fat content of soft cheeses is a great complement to the proof of the bourbon. Maker's Mark is smooth and sweet with hints of vanilla, cherry, and almond that flatter and complement the cheese. The creamy richness of the cheese can also stand up to a higher-proof bourbon.

When preparing a cheese board, it is recommended to have a selection of 3 or 4 different types of cheese, including a soft cheese, a sharp aged cheddar, a harder aged cheese, and a blue cheese. For the soft cheese, brie or camembert are great options as they are mild and pair well with a lower-proof or wheated bourbon.

Maker's Mark, a wheated bourbon, tends to be a bit sweeter, which makes it a good match for creamy cheeses. It has a smooth and sweet taste with hints of vanilla, cherry, and almond. The lower alcohol content of Maker's Mark, at 90 proof or less, also helps to ensure that the flavour of the cheese is not overpowered.

When creating a cheese and bourbon pairing, it is important to consider the different flavour profiles of both the cheese and the bourbon. The high fat content of soft cheeses like brie or camembert can stand up to the proof of the bourbon, creating an enjoyable taste experience.

Overall, soft cheeses like brie or camembert paired with Maker's Mark bourbon can be a delicious and complementary combination, offering a range of flavours for the palate to enjoy.

Goat cheese and Elijah Craig Small Batch

Elijah Craig Small Batch is an award-winning bourbon first introduced in 1986 as a 12-year age-stated expression. It is known for its distinctive warm spice and subtle smoke flavour, with tasting notes of vanilla bean, sweet fruit, fresh mint, nutmeg, and caramel.

Goat cheese, also known as chèvre, is a tangy, creamy, and fresh-tasting cheese. It is often made from goat milk that is unpasteurised and has a lower lactose content than cow milk. The flavour of goat cheese varies depending on the type of milk used, the aging process, and the region of production.

When pairing bourbon with cheese, it is important to consider the complementary flavours and textures of both. The tanginess and creaminess of goat cheese can be a good match for the warm spice and subtle sweetness of Elijah Craig Small Batch. The bourbon's tasting notes of vanilla and sweet fruit can be enhanced by the tangy and creamy characteristics of goat cheese.

For a well-rounded pairing, consider serving the goat cheese at room temperature to soften its texture and bring out its full flavour. Accompany the cheese with complementary items such as crackers, nuts, or dried fruits. The bourbon can be served neat or on the rocks, depending on your preference.

Additionally, creating a cheese plate with multiple textures and types of cheese can add variety to your pairing experience. You can include cured meats, nuts, and berries to further enhance the flavours of the bourbon and cheese.

Remember, the key to a successful pairing is to find a balance between the flavours and characteristics of the bourbon and cheese, creating a harmonious tasting experience.

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