World Whisky Day Pairings

15 May 2025

17th May 2025 is World Whisky Day, and what a fabulous reason to stock up on whisky, invite some friends round and enjoy a dram or three (there are lot of whisky producing countries whose products you could sample!)

Not that we actually need an excuse to enjoy a clinking glass of the scrumptious liquid gold. And besides, it would be rude not to on such a special day!

BBQ Food

So where do we begin? Well with all the amazing sunshine we’ve been experiencing in the UK, let’s start with al fresco BBQ food.

BBQ ribs, corn, burgers, pulled pork, brisket, hickory smoke

You can’t beat a good bourbon or rye to complement the rich spices of the food.

Pairing BBQ food with Maker’s Mark Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky is a great choice. Smooth and sweet with plenty of fruity and spicy notes, this Bourbon is robust enough to stand up to the full flavours of BBQ meat without overpowering. Enjoy it straight, or go all summery with a cocktail such as the Bourbon Renewal:

Bourbon Renewal Cocktail

2 parts Maker’s Mark Kentucky Straight Bourbon
1 part fresh lemon juice
½ part Crème de cassis
½ part simple syrup

Just combine all the ingredients in a shaker, add ice and shake it up!

Strain into a glass and garnish with a twist of lemon.

Fish and Vegetables

Something a little lighter with a less dominant flavour profile will fit the bill here.

Try a fruity Lowland Scotch Whisky such as Glenkinchie 12 year old single malt. The slightly dry, herbal notes with a delicate hint of smokiness sits perfectly alongside barbecued fish.

Naturally, Japanese Whiskies are a natural pairing with fish, but they also work well with vegetables.

Try Suntory’s The Chita Single Grain Whisky – a sweet fragrance, smooth honied flavour with a hint of mint and spiced oak finish. This whisky is a great choice to complement slightly spiced BBQ veggies.

Serve as a highball; 1 part Chita Whisky to 3 parts soda water or tonic. Add ice and garnish with a twist of lemon and a sprig of mint, sit back and enjoy!

Snacks and Nibbles

When a main meal isn’t on the menu, snacks and nibbles are simply a must! and when it comes to nuts, it really is a balancing act.

Lightly seasoned nuts and crisps

For milder flavours such as cashews, almonds and salted peanuts, try serving with a shot of Jameson Irish Whiskey, a smooth, floral whiskey with hints of spice and sweetness, a good balance with neither food nor whiskey fighting for the spotlight.

Bold spiced snacks

Nuts with a bold, smoky flavour will need an equally robust whisky to stand up to them; try Talisker - The Wild Blue.

This limited edition single malt starts off sweet then builds in intensity whilst being laden with fruits, which is then balanced out with maritime notes of salt and a hit of smokiness.

Sweet Treats

For lighter flavoured snacks, and a sneaky slice of cake, a snifter of Cotswolds Malt Whisky will be just the ticket!

Light, fruity and with a sweetness from the ex-bourbon casks and just a hint of peat, this whisky will slip down a treat with your favourite biscuits and pastries.

Cheese and Biscuits

Forget the Port!

You need at least two whiskies for a good cheese board (although more will always be better!) One for the Blue cheeses, cheddars and parmesan and another for the lighter cheeses such as Brie, Camembert, Wensleydale and Gouda.

Full flavoured cheeses

Islay Whisky will shine with strong cheeses, meeting their tang with a hit of peat. Go bold with a Laphroaig 10 year old Single Malt Scotch Whisky.

Peat smoke, salty seaweed notes, with an undercurrent of smooth sweetness from ex-Bourbon barrels.

Or select Ardbeg – perhaps the 10 year old.

A single malt with a riot of complex flavours. Intense smokiness, combined with fruit, pepper, citrus – you name it, it’s there! And it finishes with long, smoky soft notes of almond and pear.

Lighter cheeses

A sweet and delicate flavour is the best choice here.

For something a bit different, grab a bottle of Starward Solera.

Aged in Apera (Australian sherry) barrels, this single malt offers rich flavours of orchard fruits, caramel, vanilla, figs and a hint of oak – delicious!