Happy Thanksgiving! In this season of thankfulness, one thing I’m thankful for is bourbon, which can bring an extra serving of warmth to your holiday gathering. Below are my recommendations for bourbons that will pair well with the feast and should be readily available in liquor stores today. But really, it’s hard to go wrong with any choice; bourbon’s flavor profile of sweetness with a bit of spice enhances all the rich flavors of Thanksgiving.
With the meal, you want a bourbon that has a wide array of flavor notes, something sweet enough to enhance the savory foods but with enough spice to hold up to sugary sides like sweet potato casserole. Good choices include Old Forester Signature (100 proof), Woodford Reserve and Buffalo Trace.
With the dessert course, it’s time to step up that spice quotient. Look for a bourbon with a high rye content, like Four Roses Single Barrel or Old Grand Dad 114. Or switch to rye whiskey. An obvious choice for the day: Wild Turkey 101 Rye. This would go especially well with pecan pie.
If whiskey is your dessert, you can’t go wrong with Angel’s Envy Rye. Finished in rum casks, it has a delightful toasted brown-sugar finish. And after being scarce for a while, it’s back on most shelves again.
Whatever you choose, drink responsibly. Cheers!
