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Whisky Paired With Charcuterie Boards

“Wine and cheese” rolls off the tongue as elegantly as those pairings caress the palate. With Italian antipasti platters of cured meat, cheese, olives and more, wine is practically necessario. But the next time you snack on those foods or entertain with a full-blown charcuterie and cheese board, consider how the flavours beautifully complement the layered notes in fine whisky instead.

This great selection of Scotch, bourbon, Canadian whisky and Irish whiskey makes exploring pairings and entertaining with whisky easy and fun.


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Rye Whisky Board

Play up rye’s spicy, peppery character with peppercorn salami. Balance that with a wedge of mild, nutty-tasting Swiss cheese like Emmenthal, which picks up on the toasted-flax note in great rye whisky. A moist, seedy slice of cocktail pumpernickel bread amplifies rye’s grain notes, and a slather of fig or quince preserves brings bright, tangy character. A soft-baked pretzel with spicy mustard is another tasty food pairing for this combo! Add a homemade Butter Candle into the mix.

SIDE SNACKS
Toasted pumpkin and sunflower seeds, or sesame-seed wafers, are a great way to accent the toasty, toffeed notes of barrel-aged rye. Although it might sound strange, after a sip of whisky, try a shard of dark chocolate (with 80 per cent or more cacao) with the cheese and bread: the deep mocha notes make the pairing pop.

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Reifel Rye

Buttery toffee on the nose plus a ginger and white-pepper palate make this rye both smooth and spicy.


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Lot No. 40 Dark Oak Canadian Whisky

Mocha and peppery spice fade to a warm, cedary glow on the finish of this deeply flavoured rye.


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Canadian Club 100% Rye

Loads of creamy vanilla balance herbs and dried fruits in this whisky, with just a hint of smoke and toasty nuts.


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Alberta Premium Whisky

Banana, caramel and a kick of red-hot cinnamon give this vivacious rye plenty of pairing potential.




Irish Whiskey Board

Evoke the comforts of a corned beef dinner by pairing Irish whiskey with bresaola (Italian dried, salted beef), with kettle-cooked potato chips on the side. The ideal cheese is a mature white cheddar, as smooth as Irish whiskey but with delightful, crunchy crystals that form while it ages. Seedy or fruit-and-nut crisps (such as Mary’s or Raincoast Crisps) are the ideal cracker, picking up toasty and nutty notes in the whiskey. Add Melted Onions to this spread.

SIDE SNACKS
Apple butter, jam or sauce will amplify the golden, orchard-fruit flavours common to Irish whiskey blends. Slices of dried mango or apricot, and toasted hazelnuts or walnuts, complete the board and round out the fruity, toasty and savoury nuances you’ll find in these spirits.

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Jameson Irish Whiskey

Soft ginger and vanilla on the nose and a silky-smooth texture make this light, golden blend a favourite.


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Green Spot Irish Whiskey

Made in the robust pot-still style, this leathery, spicy and dry dram has clove and fresh apple notes.


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Glendalough Double Barrel Irish Whiskey

One of Ireland’s first craft distilleries creates a lightly spicy, caramelly whiskey with cooked pear accents.





Bourbon Whiskey Board

America’s signature whiskey, bourbon, is made from a corn-dominant blend of grains and has a slight sharpness on the palate to balance rich, caramelly notes. That makes it perfect fodder for unctuous cured meats like mortadella and prosciutto, paired with a creamy, mild cheese like Gouda. Make buttered, salted crostini toasts from a crisp-crusted baguette and/or our Butter-Fried Saltines as an accompaniment, and include a pot of sweet honey mustard to tie each bite together.

SIDE SNACKS
On the side, peach or apricot jam will pick up the baked tree-fruit notes common to bourbon, as will slices of fresh or dried apple or pear, or fresh cherries. Honeyed peanuts or a caramel nuts-and corn mix are other well-chosen side snacks.

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Maker’s Mark 46

The elegance of French oak gives this bourbon buttery tarte tatin and salted caramel elements to savour.


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Angel’s Envy Bourbon

Aging in port barrels brings fruity, berry and nutty notes to this unusually smooth and fruity bourbon.


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Michter’s US1 Small Batch Kentucky Bourbon

An endlessly long finish is the payoff of this opulent, caramelly bourbon, with hints of orange and spice.


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Jim Beam White Label Bourbon

The legacy of the Jim Beam brand starts here: an initial spicy and floral whiff turns to pure molten caramel.




Scotch Whisky Board

Take a virtual voyage to the British Isles by plating a slab or slices of smoked salmon, a common Scottish dish that brings seaside vibes to the table. A decadent wheel of buttery Camembert or Brie—try it brûléed— is perfect to complement the creamy texture of malted barley whisky. The conveyance of choice for each bite is Scottish oatcakes: find these toasty, savoury and buttery biscuits from brands like Nairn’s or Walkers at many grocery stores.

SIDE SNACKS
Wildflower or local honey makes a lovely drizzle over this combination. Fill out your board with fresh green and red grapes to echo the fruity notes in Scotch, and bring out the mineral and maritime notes in both Scottish whisky and salmon with something salty like giant caperberries.


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Johnnie Walker Black 12 Year Old Scotch Whisky

Brûléed cheese sings with this lightly smoky blended Scotch, with rich dried fruit and grain on the finish.


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Grant’s Triple Wood Blended Scotch Whisky

Warm tones of brown sugar and honey meet a hit of citrus zest on the palate of this quality blended Scotch.


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Auchentoshan 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Scotch newbies will find this golden, honeyed, triple-distilled Lowland single malt a welcome entry point.