A great meal paired with a perfect whiskey is an unforgettable experience. The smooth, rich flavours in Irish whiskey make it the star of your dining experience, subtly enhancing all the flavours of your food. But it’s not just about the whiskey. It’s about the interplay of the food and the whiskey, and that’s where things go from great to sublime.
Irish whiskey is known for its velvety texture and exotic notes. It is very much ideal to pair it up with a food course. With slight hints of vanilla, caramel, and fruits, there is much decency in the drink that goes on with all kinds of food courses. But it is not easy to know which food course goes well with which type of Irish Whiskey. For that, we need to go on a culinary journey.
Understanding Irish Whiskey
Before we discuss what to pair, we need to first understand what makes Irish Whiskey unique. Made up mainly of malted barley and aged for a minimum of three years, it is robust in flavours. The Irish Whiskey goes through triple distillation during this process, meaning you will always have a much easier drinking whiskey that will stand out from its counterpart, Scotch.
From sweet and fruity to deep and oaky, there is something for everyone. A light whiskey will only complement seafood, while something rich, bold, and full will only complement a heavier meal.
Pairing Irish Whiskey with Food
Starters
Appetisers set the mood for your entire meal. It’s hard to go wrong with smoked salmon and a light floral whiskey. The whiskey’s floral notes will complement the delicate sweet taste of the submarine fish. If you’re looking for something else, try warm goat’s cheese on crusty bread. The whiskey’s caramel flavours will go great with the tang of the cheese. Combining all of these will be an unforgettable bite.
Main Courses
As you move into the main course, the options are wide open. A classic Irish stew can pair very well with Irish whiskey. The robust flavours in a whiskey-like Redbreast blend with the seasoned meat and vegetables. A profile of fruit and spice provides a beautiful complement to the tender lamb or beef, offering a taste experience that continues the conversation between plate and glass.
When paired with a tender piece of protein from the grill, a spiced or peaty Irish whiskey will highlight the smoky char from the grill while cutting through the richness of the meat. A bite of lamb chop after a sip of whiskey makes a heavenly combination.
Seafood and Vegetarian Dishes
Pairing Irish whiskey with fish or veggies can certainly pay off. A splash of citrusy whiskey on top of grilled prawns or roasted veggies can add some brightness to your plate. The fresh, fruity flavours of the whisky will bring out the freshness of the produce in a satisfying setting.
A salad of beets and goat cheese, with light Irish whiskey on the side, can give you the vegetarian pairing that you’re looking for. The extremely drinkable whiskey will compliment your earthy beet flavours with no trouble in some kind of health-minded blowout of a meal.
Dessert
You can even find the perfect pairing for dessert courtesy of Irish whiskey. Proper Irish Coffee is made with great coffee, brown sugar, and a little Irish whiskey to round the whole party out. The complex flavours of the whiskey meld perfectly with the richer characteristics of the coffee, while fluffy whipped cream on top of your cup adds a nice, lush mouthfeel.
You can also try pairing a rich, dark chocolate dessert with a nice spicy whiskey with a good dose of fruit. Whiskey has what it takes to stand up to bittersweet chocolate, and the spicy, fruit flavours go hand in hand with the richness of the dessert, making for the perfect last course to your Irish dinner experience.
The Joy of Experimentation
Food and Irish whiskey are just as much about discovery as they are about taste. Let your taste palette wander. And the best way to enjoy food is with other people. Sip that whiskey and let your tastebuds strum the tune they’re longing for.
Hopefully, you now know that there’s a whole wide world of Irish whiskey just waiting to be discovered. The food-matching possibilities are truly endless and all facets of your Irish whiskey journey, too.
