Rum and Agave Spirits at the Thanksgiving Table!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Thanksgiving is a great time to cultivate gratitude and reflect on the things we appreciate in life. And what better way to do that than over a great meal, paired with the right drink.
Today, in our final "Thanksgiving Pairing" newsletter, we will explore pairing this traditional meal with rum and agave spirits.
When it comes to pairing rum and agave spirits with your Thanksgiving meal, there are a few things to keep in mind. The style of rum, whether a rich and complex molasses-based rum or a crisper, cleaner whiskey like agricole style. For agave spirits, age is very important because the oak influence changes the spirit's profile quickly and in specific ways. If you choose Mezcal, the type of agave and level of smokiness will be important factors to consider.
🍗 1. Double Rum Smoked Turkey: This dish is a variation of the famous Double Whiskey Smoked Turkey recipe. It brings a well balanced array of baked spices, brown sugar and smoke. Pair this turkey with a dark rum.
🥃El Dorado 21 years, a classic rum from Guyana made in some of the oldest stills in the world is balanced and complex with hints of tropical fruit, spice, honey, and brown sugar, reminiscent of cognac-like notes on the nose. The full-bodied palate is driven by oak, with a smooth, velvety finish accented by notes of nuts and smoke. It amplifies everything this dish offers.
For an agave spirit, we recommend Rey Sol tequila. This Extra Añejo is aged for 6 years in a combination of American and French oak. One of the tequilas with more molasses notes I have ever tasted, the balance of sweetness, oak and spice complement this dish very well.
If you are more of a cocktail person, a Dark and Stormy will work splendidly.
🐟 2. Salmon Wellington: is a clever twist on the traditional Beef Wellington. First, wrap a salmon loin in cabbage leaves and then layer it with shrimp, nori, and puff pastry before baking it. Perfect for a bright and rounded spirit.
🥃 Rhum Homére Clement pairs very well with this dish, it's biscuit and almond butter flavors complement the fat of the fish and the lightness of the pastry. This is an agricole rhum from Martinique, made from sugar cane juice instead of molasses and aged between 7 and 15 years.
For tequila, El Tesoro Mundial Collection: Knob Creek. A special release of El Tesoro Añejo aged in an ex-Knob Creek barrel for 12 months. Is rounded, creamy, very well balanced with the perfect amount of sweetness and spice and the agave shining all over, a perfect pair for this dish.
For a cocktail, a dry Margarita will bring the right amount of acidity to go with the fish.
🥣 3. Pumpkin Soup: Creamy with hints of spice and nuttiness, calls for a touch of balanced sweetness.
🥃 Mount Gay XO, this classic Barbados rum is aged in ex-American whiskey, bourbon and cognac barrels, bringing great notes of caramel, chocolate, figs, spices along with a round mouthfeel that complements this soup beautifully.
For the agave spirit, mezcal Del Maguey Chichicapa brings a clean palate that allows the agave to be the protagonist due to the absence of oak influence. Full of flavor, sweetness, citrus and depth, with a gentle touch of smokiness. Perfect for warming up with this dish.
A Winter Honey Old Fashioned, where the ice is replaced by hot water, almost a Grog style, will be the perfect match.
🥔 4. Potato Gratin: another classic dish full of cream, cheese and baked spice notes.
🥃 The famous Nicaraguan rum, Flor de Caña 12 year old, is one of the most popular rums in the world for a reason. It has depth, balance, pleasant notes of baked apples, vanilla and spices to complement the rich and spicy notes of these potatoes.
Mezcal de Leyenda Durango Cenizo, will bring buttered popcorn notes with a round and silky mouthfeel to go well with this dish.
For a cocktail, try a simple Cinnamon Butter Rum.
🍫 5. Anything Chocolate: always goes well with spirits.
🥃 Zacapa 23 is perfect with any chocolate or chocolate dessert due to its richness and balanced sweetness.
Los Amantes Mezcal Añejo, aged 24 months in French oak, brings an interesting combination of light smoke with chocolate, honey and spices.
Accompanying this dessert with a Mezcal Mexican Hot Chocolate is all you need!
**If you like to smoke cigars, chocolate and rum are a fantastic pairing to go with it.
🥧6. Pumpkin Pie: For the classic Thanksgiving dessert, warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg can complement the flavors of pumpkin pie.
🥃 Santa Teresa, Venezuelan Rum, Solera System aged is a marriage of nuts, leather, vanilla, cinnamon, dark chocolate, prunes, hints of honey and pepper with fruity aromas to match the deliciousness and creaminess of pumpkin pie.
Tequila Milagro Select Reposado, aged in a combination of American and French oak, brings cinnamon, caramel, light oak tones and vanilla, creating a great pairing with this pie.
For a cocktail I will take a spin on the French Connection and instead of cognac use Santa Teresa, or any aged rum with a similar flavor profile, add amaretto and enjoy!
🍎 7. Apple Cobbler: The warmth of the baked spices with the apples and the pastry with the vanilla ice cream pair well with some Jamaican depth.
🥃 Appleton 8 year old has notes of spiced fruit, honey, vanilla and orange peel to pair well with this cobbler.
Don Julio 1942 offers a balance of rich caramel, vanilla and roasted agave for a flavorful twist.
For a cocktail, make a Hot Apple Cider using the rum as the spirit base.
I hope these pairing ideas will help you create the best experience for you and your loved ones....Pick the ones you like and let me know how they worked out for you! (info@giseladezillioevents.com)
Enjoy your Thanksgiving feast!🍂🍗🍠🥧🍁
This November 30th at 6:30pm you are invited to The Scottish Malt Trail.
Join us for a whisky-filled evening at The Braeburn Whisky Vault tasting room in New York City!
Come and learn from our spirits specialist, Gisela Dezillio, with over 17 years of experience, as you sip a selection of six different Scottish Malts reflecting the identity of Scotland's different whisky regions.
For more follow us on IG @gdespirits & @giseladezillioevents or visit us at www.gdespirittastings.com & www.giseladezillioevents.com #mydramcometrue info@giseladezillioevents.com
