Cheese
When is cheese a bad idea? Cheese is our weakness, especially when paired with whiskey. The reason why these two delicacies combine so well is their variety of flavors and their maturation process. Therefore, most cheeses will combine quite well, whether they are hard, soft or fragrant.
If you don’t know which cheese to choose (we know that feeling), take a sip of whiskey and choose the dominant flavors. Bet on a blue cheese such as Stilton or Roquefort. Do you detect vanilla nuances? Try a wedge of melted Camembert cheese, drizzled with honey and topped with fruit and a glass of Hot Toddy by the fire. Sounds good, right?
Meat
Whether on a plate, with a cracker or on a sandwich, meat is always an excellent snack to enjoy with a whiskey. Cold cuts such as salami and chorizo combine perfectly with single malt Scotch whiskies that mix sweet and savory notes. The best way to serve meat appetizers with whiskey is a charcuterie board. You can make a selection of your favorite cuts along with other complementary Instagram-style bites or you can put them all on a tray and start snacking, without judgment.
Crackers and chips
Savory, meaty, cheesy, spicy… even with a prawn cocktail. Like our range of whiskies, crackers and chips come in a multitude of shapes and flavours, offering plenty of options to complement your drink.
These pantry staples are always a good resource, whether it’s for a feast of appetizers or as a snack. So, what’s your choice? Classic savory pretzels? Cheese bites? Sweet chili cookies? Whatever you choose, there’s a whiskey to go with it. Our favorite combination for an elegant Friday night is a cocktail with fries. Next time you’re craving fries, try them with a Whiskey Sour or a sweet Summer Pitcher.
Chocolate
Our range of whiskies is prized for treasuring sugary notes, from honey and vanilla, to cherry and caramel apple. So let yourself be surprised by those bites of chocolate the next time you pour a glass.
A dark or milk chocolate bar is a nice accompaniment to a Ballantine’s 7 Bourbon Barrel Finish thanks to its layers of creamy caramel and vanilla apple. If you want to treat yourself, add some chocolate truffles while enjoying a whiskey on the rocks. Tip: stir the salted caramel for a burst of flavor.
Nuts
There’s a reason nuts are a regular food in bars. Whether they’re salted, roasted with honey, or covered in chocolate, we can’t help but order a bowl of them every time a drink comes into our hands. Most nuts pair well with a glass of whiskey, but if you want to choose the right ones, consider the flavors of your chosen blend.
Brazil nuts and bitter pecans bring out the sweet tones of a vanilla finish, while pistachios and pecans complement a stronger whiskey. What about savory blends? They go well with everything. Try them to dress up a spiced Scotch whisky or a whisky with sweet cider.
Fruits
It’s as simple as grabbing an apple from the fruit basket, but if you want to level up your snack tray the next time you pour yourself a drink, there are plenty of ways to do it.
For example, you can create a mixture of dried fruit with chocolate chips, nuts and anything you fancy to accompany your aromatic and spicy glass of Ballantine’s 21 Year Old. If you prefer to go the savory route, use fruit and cheese chutney or apple slices. No matter which fruit you choose, do it the classic way with a Scottish Old Fashioned, our ideal cocktail for a sophisticated snack marathon.