Whiskey at the Thanksgiving Table!
Thanksgiving is approaching, a special time to gather together and create a warm atmosphere by expressing gratitude to our loved ones through cooking, sharing and giving back.
When preparing for Thanksgiving, we know that the meal is the star, but it's not complete without the ideal drink pairing, then why not consider brown spirits?
🥃 This week we'll share ideas for pairing Thanksgiving dishes with spirits. Today, whiskey is our spirit of choice.
When it comes to pairing whiskey with your Thanksgiving meal, there are a few considerations to keep in mind.
The rich and complex flavors of whiskey can complement various dishes. Here are a few suggestions:
🍗 1. Roasted Turkey: A smooth and slightly sweet bourbon can pair well with the savory flavors of roasted turkey. Look for bourbons with caramel and vanilla notes.
🥃Buffalo Trace is a great choice for enjoying subtle caramel flavors with the perfect roundness to sip with your roasted turkey. If you prefer a bourbon with notes of maple, plums and vanilla, along with a touch of dry spice and a touch more of alcohol content, then Four Roses Single Barrel is the way to go.
🍖 2. Glazed Ham: A smoky or peaty whisky can balance the sweetness of glazed ham. Consider a single malt with a hint of peat smoke.
🥃 Westland American Single Malt is perfect for adding a light peat flavor to your glazed ham. This malt is made from a mash bill containing six different malts, including one that is heavily peated, offering a great balance between peat and toasted marshmallow. If you'd like to enhance the peat presence, Balvenie 14 years old, Week of Peat, is a great option. It has notes of butterscotch and a perfect Speyside peat that is more floral and less medicinal than the Islay peat.
🍒 3. Cranberry Sauce: For the tartness of cranberry sauce, a rye whiskey can be a great match. The spiciness of rye can enhance the flavors of cranberry.
🥃 When it comes to Rye, Pikesville is one of my all-time favorites, so perfectly balanced and full flavored. With a slightly high ABV, 110 proof, it creates the perfect complexity to contrast the acidity of the cranberry with the honey and baked spices of this rye. If you're looking for more layers of spice, caramel and even a hint of mint, the 100% rye Whistle Pig 10 Years Old is the perfect choice.
🍠 4. Sweet Potatoes: Opt for a bourbon with rich caramel and toffee notes to complement the sweetness of sweet potatoes. The smoothness of bourbon can be a delightful addition.
🥃 The sweetness of the wheated recipe plus the spice and structure from the French oak in Maker's Mark 46 will harmonize with this traditional dish. Garrison Brothers in Texas uses pretty much the same mash bill as Maker's Mark (corn, soft red winter wheat and barley), but in different proportions, leaving us with another excellent choice of a big, complex, sweet bourbon with citrus notes and a wonderful long finish.
🥔5. Mashed Potatoes: A lighter and more delicate whisky can work well with the creamy texture of mashed potatoes. Look for one with subtle flavors like vanilla or citrus.
🥃To enhance the flavor of this dish, Hibiki Harmony, a blended Japanese whisky, offers delicate notes of citrus, white chocolate and white roses with a hint of rosemary. For a mellow and creamy taste with citrus undertones, Glenmorangie 10-year-old single malt scotch is the perfect choice.
🥧6. Pumpkin Pie: For the classic Thanksgiving dessert, warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg can complement the flavors of the pumpkin pie. Consider a whiskey with a bit of sweetness to enhance the overall.
🥃Crown Royal Maple finished is a Canadian blend that perfectly combines sweetness, warmth and roundness to add the finishing touch to this traditional dessert. For enhanced complexity and candy-like notes mixed with hints of mint, try Angel's Envy Rye, finished in Caribbean Rum Cask.
🥧 7. Pecan Pie: A rich and full-bodied whiskey with notes of vanilla and honey can be a wonderful partner for the nutty flavors of pecan pie.
🥃 This pie is one of my favorites, and to complement it, Woodinville Bourbon, finished in a Port cask, brings out strong flavors of cherries, berries, honey and chocolate, with a great viscous mouthfeel. For a cleaner and honeyed approach, Tyrconell 16 Year Old Bourbon Cask, a well-rounded double distilled Irish single malt, delivers creamy and bright notes with a blend of oak, green fruits, honey and vanilla.
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.
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