Food to serve at a Whiskey tasting?

[Jenise]

Friends are throwing a whiskey tasting party. I'll be expected to take a food item. Whiskeys could be anything from bourbon to Japanese. I have a week to come up with something clever. Ideas?

[Robin Garr]

Jenise, I'm not a huge fan of food with high-octane spirits, but one rule of thumb for Bourbon is to go with succulent, fat-forward items like ham, cheese, charcuterie, or nuts to smooth the alcoholic heat.

Here's some bourbon-centric advice from the Kentucky Distillers' Association.
https://kybourbon.com/enthusiast-storie ... s-manager/

Yeah, I'd be inclined to serve a hard cheese like a Neal's Yard farmhouse cheddar, something with some punch in the lower register of aromatics (counterpoint: a ripe washed-rind cheese would be a vile pairing with whiskey). I'd think that a dessert could also go nicely, something like pecan pie or shortbread. (Disclaimer: I drink whiskey next to never but have been known to tipple an Islay single malt in my youth)

I'd look at something fairly neutral like a not very sweet oat-cake. Nothing that alters the taste of the whiskeys.

[Jenise]

I'm a solid fan of beef jerky with bourbon. But, the thing is, there will be like 15-20 people at this party and food is a must, no matter what anyone thinks of such a combination. There will be some good whiskeys there but no Pappy Van Winkles or anything rare.

Robin, thanks for the link, I'll look at that.

Bread pudding with whiskey sauce. Good make ahead dish. Feeds a crowd. Can be eaten at room temperature or heated oven or microwave for those who like theirs warm.

Myhttps://spicedblog.com/bourbon-steak-kabobs/
Hubby loved these with bourbon—a delicious pairing.
If you have a source for a delicious smoked salmon, that would be great too, and save you some work. Along with some hard cheeses.