Pairing Whisky with Festive Foods: A Christmas Day Guide
As the most wonderful time of the year is here, it's time to start planning your Christmas day treats and drinks.
Whisky is the perfect drink to pair with your holiday feast. This is the perfect way to wash down a hearty meal and share in the holiday joy with family and friends.
When it comes to selecting the right whisky to pair with various foods, the best choice is all in the details. Today, Whisky Tasting Company will provide you with a fun and festive Christmas menu and delicious whiskies to complement each meal.
1. Whisky as an Aperitif
What better way to kickstart your tastebuds than with a delicious glass of whisky?
While champagne is a common choice, whisky offers a fun and sophisticated twist to the traditional festive meal. Opt for light and crisp whiskies to build anticipation for the meal ahead.
Floral whiskies, like a lowland single malt, offer hints of citrus, flowers, and grassy notes. The Glenkinchie 12-Year-Old offers a sweet but subtle taste with notes of lemon zest.
If you prefer something slightly richer, a sherried whisky, Aberlour A'Bunadh, pairs beautifully with smoked almonds and olive starters. For those who'd prefer to start on a high, add a splash of prosecco to a whisky spritz or a whisky sour.
2. Starters
No Christmas dinner is complete without a few starters, or several, to get the ball rolling. And what better way to make this course extra special than to pair each starter with a delicious whisky?
Below, we've listed a few popular starters and what whisky to pair them with.
Smoked Salmon and Peated Whisky
Smoked salmon is the perfect starter for any roast dinner. Its rich texture and delicate saltiness are best complemented by lightly peated whisky, such as the Laphroaig 10-Year-Old.
Combining this smoky dish and drink together makes for the perfect tasting experience.
Pâté and Sherried Whisky
Duck pâté or chicken liver is a great Christmas starter. These pair well with a sherried whisky, as the rich and nutty tastes complement the earthy flavour of pâté.
The GlenDronach 12-Year-Old is a particularly excellent choice, as it pairs well with the savoury depth of pâté.
3. Main Course
The main course is the star of the show, and the star deserves the perfect whisky to go with it.
No matter which way you go with the choice of meat, there's the perfect whisky to complement the flavours, adding elegance to any meal.
Roast Turkey with Traditional Trimmings
Roast turkey is the most popular meat choice for Christmas dinner; it's tasty, easy to cook, and can serve many guests.
The sweet vanilla and caramel notes of bourbon-cask-aged whisky pair perfectly with a classic roast turkey. For a truly spectacular dining experience, complete this feat with stuffing, Cranberry sauce, and gravy. For this, we suggest the Glenlivet 12-Year-Old Single Malt.
Beef Wellington and Full-Bodied Whisky
If you're serving up a beef Wellington this festive period, opt for a robust, full-bodied whisky.
Aberlour A'Bunadh offers deep, sherried notes that complement the bold flavour of beef and the earthy taste of duxelles. It is sure to impress your guests and make this Christmas one to remember.
Glazed Ham and Spicy Whisky
A spicy, fruity whisky is a perfect fit for the sweet and salty contrast of caramelised gammon.
The glaze's caramelised sugars combine well with whiskies that have a hint of cinnamon, cloves, or dried fruit to create a joyful symphony of tastes. The Glenfiddich 15-Year-Old is perfect for pairing with honey-glazed ham, providing warm spice and notes of sherry.
4. Desserts
The fun doesn't end here! Desserts carry the party on, giving you a sweet treat to indulge in after the main course.
And for the whisky lovers among us, this is another excuse to prepare yourself a new drink and crack open those bottles you've been saving for the special occasion.
Mince Pies and Spiced Whisky
Mince pies are a great little treat to cleanse the palette with after a big feast.
This buttery, flaky pastry with spiced fruit filling goes well with a dram featuring notes of clove, nutmeg, or cinnamon. With its orange zest and spice notes, Dalmore 12-Year-Old is the perfect choice.
Christmas Pudding and Rich, Sherried Whisky
Stuffed with spices, dried fruits, and brandy, Christmas pudding is the perfect way to commemorate another year with your family and friends.
Take this one step further by pairing it with a rich, sherried whisky, such as the GlenDronach 18-Year-Old Allardice. This features notes of nuts and spice, mirroring the taste of this traditional dessert.
Chocolate Yule Log and Smoky Whisky
This sweet and chocolatey treat is a great choice for this year's Christmas dessert.
This sponge cake, topped with chocolate buttercream and icing, pairs surprisingly well with a smoky whisky. The dark chocolate taste complements the smoky, chocolatey depth of Ardbeg Uigeadail.
Get Christmas Ready with Whisky Tasting Company
Do you want to experiment with different whiskies this Christmas? Or are you looking for the perfect gift for a whisky lover?
If so, we provide a range of Christmas whisky tasting gifts, perfect for the enthusiast. These gift sets feature 5 small bottles of whisky, perfect for branching out and trying new pairings. Cheers to an unforgettable festive season!