The Still & The VineSchool of Wine & Spirits

School of Wine & Spirits

Food Pairings

Every bottle we review comes with a food pairing recommendation. Find the perfect dish to complement your pour.

242 pairings · Bourbon

Driftless Glen Distillery 10 Year Old Single Barrel Bourbon
Bourbon

Smoked pork belly with apple butter glaze

Driftless Glen Distillery 10 Year Old Single Barrel Bourbon

Driftless Glen

Pairing

Thick slices of slow-smoked pork belly brushed with spiced apple butter and served alongside roasted root vegetables and a side of creamy stone-ground grits—the richness of the pork mirrors the bourbon's viscosity while the apple's sweetness draws out the whiskey's caramel and cherry notes.

Bluegrass Distillers Wheated Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon
Bourbon

Honey-glazed pork tenderloin with roasted pears

Bluegrass Distillers Wheated Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon

Bluegrass Distillers

Pairing

A honey-glazed pork tenderloin served alongside caramelized roasted pears and a light frisée salad dressed in sherry vinaigrette. The pork's gentle sweetness mirrors the bourbon's wheat-forward softness, while the pears echo its apple and honey notes, and the salad's bitter edge provides counterpoint.

High Wire Jimmy Red Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Bourbon

Smoked pork belly with stone-ground grits

High Wire Jimmy Red Straight Bourbon Whiskey

High Wire Distilling

Pairing

The bourbon's heirloom corn sweetness and earthy depth pair beautifully with smoky, caramelized pork belly served over creamy stone-ground grits finished with sharp white cheddar and a drizzle of cane syrup. The dish echoes the whiskey's Southern provenance while its richness mirrors the bourbon's butterscotch and charred oak notes.

Kings County Bottled in Bond Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Bourbon

Smoked brisket with coffee-ancho rub

Kings County Bottled in Bond Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Kings County

Pairing

The bourbon's charred oak and caramel sweetness mirrors the smoky bark and rendered fat of slow-smoked brisket, while the coffee-ancho rub's bitterness and gentle heat find a harmonious counterpoint in the whiskey's brown spice and vanilla notes. Serve with pickled red onion and cornbread.

Hidden Barn 6yr Organic Wheated Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Bourbon

Brown butter pecan tart with smoked sea salt

Hidden Barn 6yr Organic Wheated Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Hidden Barn

Pairing

The bourbon's butterscotch sweetness and wheated softness mirror the brown butter's nutty richness, while the smoked sea salt on the tart echoes the charred oak notes in the whiskey. Serve slightly warm with a dollop of crème fraîche to bridge the caramel and vanilla threads in both.

Wathen's Single Barrel Bourbon
Bourbon

Brown butter pecan tart

Wathen's Single Barrel Bourbon

Wathen's

Pairing

A warm brown butter pecan tart with a flaky, salted crust and a drizzle of wildflower honey mirrors the bourbon's butterscotch richness and nutty undertones, while the pastry's toasted edges echo the gentle oak char.

Widow Jane The Vaults 2024 Release Bourbon Whiskey
Bourbon

Grilled lamb chops with rosemary-mineral salt crust

Widow Jane The Vaults 2024 Release Bourbon Whiskey

Widow Jane

Pairing

Thick-cut lamb chops rubbed with crushed rosemary, cracked black pepper, and fleur de sel, grilled over hardwood charcoal until pink at the center. Serve alongside roasted fingerling potatoes tossed in brown butter and a salad of bitter greens with shaved Parmigiano. The lamb's earthy richness and mineral-salt crust mirror the bourbon's stony backbone, while the brown butter echoes its caramel and pecan notes.

Taconic Distillery Dutchess Private Reserve Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Bourbon

Smoked pork belly with apple butter glaze

Taconic Distillery Dutchess Private Reserve Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Taconic Distillery

Pairing

Thick-cut smoked pork belly, glazed with spiced apple butter and served alongside roasted sweet potato rounds and a bitter greens salad dressed with cider vinaigrette. The smoky, caramelized pork mirrors the bourbon's charred oak and maple sweetness, while the apple butter echoes its fruit and spice notes.

Noah's Mill Genuine Bourbon Whiskey
Bourbon

Brown sugar-brined smoked pork belly

Noah's Mill Genuine Bourbon Whiskey

Noah's Mill

Pairing

Thick-cut smoked pork belly with a brown sugar and black pepper brine, served alongside charred sweet potato wedges and a tangy apple-cider slaw. The bourbon's deep caramel and charred oak mirror the pork's smoky sweetness, while the apple slaw cuts through the richness.

Ironroot Republic Promethean Bourbon Whiskey
Bourbon

Texas-style smoked brisket burnt ends

Ironroot Republic Promethean Bourbon Whiskey

Ironroot Republic

Pairing

The bourbon's campfire smoke and charred oak mirror the bark on slow-smoked burnt ends, while its dark caramel sweetness cuts through the rendered fat. Serve with pickled red onions and jalapeño cornbread to echo the corn-forward mash bill.

Benchmark Old No. 8 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Bourbon

Skillet cornbread with honey butter

Benchmark Old No. 8 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Benchmark

Pairing

A wedge of cast-iron skillet cornbread, its edges crisped golden and caramelized, served warm with a generous spread of salted honey butter. The corn-forward sweetness of the bourbon mirrors the cornmeal's toasty depth while the honey butter echoes the whiskey's caramel notes.

Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Bourbon

Braised short ribs with coffee-ancho glaze

Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Joseph Magnus

Pairing

Slow-braised beef short ribs finished with a coffee and ancho chile reduction, served over creamy polenta with roasted root vegetables. The deep, earthy richness of the braise mirrors the bourbon's tobacco and charred oak, while the subtle heat of the ancho plays off the rye spice.

Coppercraft Blend of Straight Bourbon Whiskeys
Bourbon

Pecan-crusted pork chops with cider glaze

Coppercraft Blend of Straight Bourbon Whiskeys

Coppercraft

Pairing

Pecan-crusted pork chops drizzled with a reduced apple cider glaze, served alongside roasted sweet potatoes and braised collard greens. The nutty crust mirrors the bourbon's pecan notes, the cider glaze parallels its butterscotch sweetness, and the char on the pork echoes the oak-driven finish.

Frey Ranch Barrel Strength Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Bourbon

Smoked brisket burnt ends

Frey Ranch Barrel Strength Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Frey Ranch

Pairing

Pecan-wood smoked brisket burnt ends with a coffee-ancho chile rub, served alongside charred cornbread and pickled red onion. The caramelized bark on the meat mirrors the bourbon's heavy char influence while the spice rub amplifies the whiskey's baking-spice complexity.

Balcones True Blue Cask Strength Straight Corn Whisky
Bourbon

Smoked brisket with charred jalapeño cornbread

Balcones True Blue Cask Strength Straight Corn Whisky

Balcones

Pairing

Central Texas-style smoked brisket, with its deep bark and rendered fat, mirrors the whisky's charred intensity, while jalapeño cornbread made from blue corn echoes the grain bill and adds a peppery counterpoint to the spirit's dark sweetness.

Jeptha Creed Bloody Butcher Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Bourbon

Cast-iron cornbread with smoked honey butter

Jeptha Creed Bloody Butcher Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Jeptha Creed

Pairing

A wedge of crisp-edged skillet cornbread, made with stone-ground heirloom meal, topped with a generous swipe of smoked honey butter. The sweet, toasty grain notes in the cornbread mirror the bourbon's heritage-corn character, while the smoked honey amplifies its caramel and oak undertones.

Penelope Bourbon Barrel Strength Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Bourbon

Smoked Duck Breast with Black Cherry Gastrique

Penelope Bourbon Barrel Strength Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Penelope Bourbon

Pairing

The bourbon's charred oak and dark cocoa notes mirror the smoky, caramelized crust of the duck, while its candied cherry and brown spice cut through the richness of the fat. The black cherry gastrique's sweet-tart acidity bridges to the bourbon's fruit notes and amplifies the spice on the finish — a pairing that deepens as both cool slightly on the plate and in the glass.

Weller Special Reserve
Bourbon

Brown butter pecan shortbread

Weller Special Reserve

W.L. Weller

Pairing

The cookie's nutty, toasty sweetness mirrors the bourbon's butterscotch character, while the crumbly texture creates a satisfying contrast with the spirit's silky mouthfeel.

Del Bac Dorado Mesquite Smoked Single Malt Whiskey
Bourbon

Mesquite-Grilled Lamb Chops with Charred Poblano Salsa

Del Bac Dorado Mesquite Smoked Single Malt Whiskey

Del Bac

Pairing

The mesquite smoke in the whiskey mirrors and amplifies the char on the lamb, creating a seamless bridge between glass and plate. The lamb's richness grounds the whiskey's malt sweetness, while the poblano's gentle heat and vegetal char echo the desert herb notes in the finish. A squeeze of lime on the salsa provides the brightness that draws out Dorado's hidden stone fruit character.

MB Roland Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Bourbon

Smoked Pork Belly with Stone-Ground Grits and Red-Eye Gravy

MB Roland Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

MB Roland

Pairing

The bourbon's unfiltered, grain-forward intensity mirrors the coarse texture of stone-ground grits, while the smoked pork belly's rendered fat and char echo the whiskey's toasted corn and scorched oak. The red-eye gravy — built on strong coffee and pan drippings — amplifies the mineral, earthy bitterness that runs through both plate and glass, creating a pairing that feels rooted in the same red clay soil.

Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon Whiskey
Bourbon

Smoked Pork Belly with Apple-Cider Gastrique

Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon Whiskey

Journeyman Distillery

Pairing

The bourbon's caramel and orchard-fruit character harmonizes beautifully with the lacquered sweetness and smoke of slow-roasted pork belly glazed in a reduced apple-cider gastrique. The gastrique's tang echoes the whiskey's subtle acidity, while the pork's richness is cut by the bourbon's charred-oak backbone. A side of bitter greens dressed in cider vinegar completes the anchor-and-drift interplay — hearth comfort with a restless edge.

Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Batch C923
Bourbon

Smoked Brisket with Coffee-Ancho Chile Bark

Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Batch C923

Elijah Craig

Pairing

The bourbon's massive charred-oak backbone and dark cocoa notes find a perfect counterpart in slow-smoked beef brisket finished with a crust of finely ground coffee, ancho chile, brown sugar, and smoked paprika. The brisket's caramelized bark mirrors the whiskey's toffee sweetness, while the chile's gentle heat amplifies the bourbon's black-pepper spice without overwhelming it. A drizzle of cider vinegar mop sauce cuts through the richness, just as the bourbon's proof slices through the beef's rendered fat. Together, they create a primal, deeply satisfying pairing worthy of a long evening around a fading fire.

Larceny Barrel Proof Batch B524
Bourbon

Smoked pork belly burnt ends

Larceny Barrel Proof Batch B524

Larceny

Pairing

The sweet, smoky char of burnt ends mirrors the bourbon's butterscotch and charred oak, while the fatty richness of the pork matches the wheated mouthfeel. A side of pickled onion cuts through.

Breckenridge Bourbon Whiskey
Bourbon

Smoked pork belly burnt ends

Breckenridge Bourbon Whiskey

Breckenridge

Pairing

The bourbon's caramel sweetness and charred oak complement the smoky, rendered fat of pork belly burnt ends served with a mustard-vinegar sauce and pickled jalapeños.

Elijah Craig 23 Year Old Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Bourbon

Dark Chocolate Pecan Tart with Smoked Sea Salt

Elijah Craig 23 Year Old Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Elijah Craig

Pairing

A bittersweet dark chocolate tart with a toasted pecan crust mirrors the bourbon's cocoa and nut character, while a scattering of smoked Maldon sea salt on top bridges the whiskey's charred oak and leathery tannins. The tart's restrained sweetness and textural contrast — crisp crust, silky ganache — echo the bourbon's own interplay between structural sweetness and deep, tannic dryness.

Barrell Bourbon Batch 034
Bourbon

Smoked pork belly with brown sugar glaze

Barrell Bourbon Batch 034

Barrell Craft Spirits

Pairing

The bourbon's charred oak and butterscotch match the caramelized crust of smoked pork belly, while its leather and spice notes complement the meat's richness. Serve with pickled mustard greens for contrast.

Old Elk Double Wheat Whiskey
Bourbon

Buttermilk biscuits with honey butter

Old Elk Double Wheat Whiskey

Old Elk

Pairing

Warm, flaky buttermilk biscuits topped with whipped honey butter mirror the whiskey's creamy wheat character and caramel sweetness, while the biscuit's light salt highlights the oak undertones.

Old Elk Wheated Bourbon Whiskey
Bourbon

Brown butter peach cobbler

Old Elk Wheated Bourbon Whiskey

Old Elk

Pairing

The bourbon's butterscotch and wheat character aligns beautifully with brown butter pastry and caramelized peaches, while the cherry notes in the whiskey echo the stone fruit warmth.

Woodford Reserve Wheat Whiskey
Bourbon

Honeycomb with aged Manchego

Woodford Reserve Wheat Whiskey

Woodford Reserve

Pairing

A wedge of 12-month Manchego drizzled with raw honeycomb and a scattering of Marcona almonds — the sheep's milk richness mirrors the whiskey's butterscotch while the honey harmonizes with its gentle sweetness.

Bardstown Bourbon Company Discovery Series #11
Bourbon

Smoked brisket with coffee rub

Bardstown Bourbon Company Discovery Series #11

Bardstown Bourbon Company

Pairing

Slow-smoked brisket with a coffee and brown sugar rub, served alongside pickled red onion and cornbread. The smoke and char on the meat echo the bourbon's charred oak notes, while the coffee rub amplifies the cocoa undertones.

Four Roses Small Batch
Bourbon

Smoked pork chops with apple chutney

Four Roses Small Batch

Four Roses

Pairing

The bourbon's apple and butterscotch notes harmonize with the sweet-tart chutney, while the rye spice cuts through the richness of the smoked pork.

Stellum Equinox Bourbon Whiskey
Bourbon

Smoked brisket with coffee rub

Stellum Equinox Bourbon Whiskey

Stellum

Pairing

The bourbon's charred oak and brown spice notes dovetail with the smoky bark and coffee crust of slow-smoked brisket, while its caramel sweetness tempers the meat's richness.

Balcones Texas Pot Still Bourbon
Bourbon

Smoked brisket rubbed

Balcones Texas Pot Still Bourbon

Balcones Distilling

Pairing

Pair with: Smoked brisket rubbed with coffee and ancho chile — the roasted corn and pecan in the bourbon echo the dark bark on the meat, while the soft wheat and caramel tame the heat.

New Riff Single Barrel Bourbon
Bourbon

Slow-smoked pork belly

New Riff Single Barrel Bourbon

New Riff Distilling

Pairing

Pair with: Slow-smoked pork belly with a brown sugar and black pepper glaze. The bourbon’s caramel sweetness mirrors the glaze while its rye spice cuts through the richness of the pork fat.

Larceny Small Batch
Bourbon

Pecan-crusted pork tenderloin

Larceny Small Batch

Heaven Hill Brands

Pairing

Pecan-crusted pork tenderloin with a maple glaze, where the bourbon's butterscotch and brown spice notes mirror the dish's caramelized sweetness.

Old Grand-Dad 114
Bourbon

Smoked brisket

Old Grand-Dad 114

Beam Suntory

Pairing

Pair with: Smoked brisket with a brown sugar and black pepper bark — the caramelized meat crust mirrors the bourbon's charred oak and brown spice, while the fat tempers the proof.

Wild Turkey Rare Breed
Bourbon

Slow-smoked beef brisket

Wild Turkey Rare Breed

Campari Group

Pairing

Pair with: Slow-smoked beef brisket with a brown sugar and black pepper bark, or a square of dark chocolate with sea salt — the char and sweetness mirror the bourbon’s own oak-driven profile.

Rabbit Hole Dareringer
Bourbon

A Spanish-inspired board of aged Manchego, marcona almonds, and dried Mission figs—each element mirroring the PX sherry cask’s contribution to the bourbon.

Rabbit Hole Dareringer

Pernod Ricard

Pairing

Pair with: A Spanish-inspired board of aged Manchego, marcona almonds, and dried Mission figs—each element mirroring the PX sherry cask’s contribution to the bourbon.

Maker's Mark 46
Bourbon

Crème brûlée — the torched sugar crust mirrors the seared oak staves, and the custard echoes the bourbon's butterscotch core.

Maker's Mark 46

Beam Suntory

Pairing

Pair with: Crème brûlée — the torched sugar crust mirrors the seared oak staves, and the custard echoes the bourbon's butterscotch core.

Evan Williams Single Barrel Vintage
Bourbon

Smoked gouda and fig jam on walnut bread — the caramel and smoke in the bourbon mirror the cheese while the fig amplifies the dried fruit notes.

Evan Williams Single Barrel Vintage

Heaven Hill Brands

Pairing

Smoked gouda and fig jam on walnut bread — the caramel and smoke in the bourbon mirror the cheese while the fig amplifies the dried fruit notes.

Eagle Rare 10 Year Old
Bourbon

Pecan pralines and dark chocolate — the nut and caramel tones in both the bourbon and the candy create a seamless, indulgent pairing.

Eagle Rare 10 Year Old

Sazerac Company

Pairing

Pair with: Pecan pralines and dark chocolate — the nut and caramel tones in both the bourbon and the candy create a seamless, indulgent pairing.

Angel's Envy Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Bourbon

Duck breast

Angel's Envy Kentucky Straight Bourbon

Louisville Distilling Company (Angel's Envy, est. 2010)

Pairing

Pair with: Duck breast with a cherry-port reduction. The bourbon's port-barrel sweetness and cherry notes mirror the sauce, while the rye spice cuts the richness of the duck fat. A pairing that rewards patience — sear the duck slowly, let the fat render, and the meal will match the whiskey sip for sip.

Elijah Craig Small Batch
Bourbon

Smoked brisket

Elijah Craig Small Batch

Heaven Hill Distillery (Elijah Craig, est. 1986)

Pairing

Pair with: Smoked brisket with a brown sugar and black pepper rub. The bourbon’s charred oak and caramel match the bark on the brisket, while the baking spice echoes the pepper rub — a Kentucky-meets-Texas pairing.

Four Roses Single Barrel
Bourbon

Pecan-crusted pork chops

Four Roses Single Barrel

Kirin Brewery Company (Four Roses Distillery, est. 1888)

Pairing

Pair with: Pecan-crusted pork chops with apple chutney. The bourbon’s fruit-forward profile and rye spice mirror the pecan crust, while the caramel sweetness plays against the tart chutney.

Wild Turkey 101
Bourbon

Smoked brisket

Wild Turkey 101

Campari Group (Wild Turkey, est. 1940)

Pairing

Pair with: Smoked brisket with a black pepper bark. The bourbon’s rye spice mirrors the pepper crust, while its caramel sweetness tempers the smoke — a Texas-meets-Kentucky handshake.

Maker’s Mark
Bourbon

Butter pecan ice cream — the creamy wheat bourbon and buttery pecans are a perfect marriage.

Maker’s Mark

Beam Suntory (originally T. William Samuels)

Pairing

Pair with: Butter pecan ice cream — the creamy wheat bourbon and buttery pecans are a perfect marriage.

Jeptha Creed Straight Four Grain Bottled in Bond Bourbon Whiskey
Bourbon

Cast-Iron Cornbread with Brown Butter and Smoked Sea Salt

Jeptha Creed Straight Four Grain Bottled in Bond Bourbon Whiskey

Jeptha Creed

Pairing

A wedge of skillet-baked cornbread — crispy-edged, golden, made with stone-ground meal — slathered with brown butter and finished with a pinch of smoked sea salt. The cornbread mirrors the bourbon's heirloom corn sweetness while the brown butter echoes its toasted, nutty undertones. The smoked salt draws out the charred oak and earthy mineral notes, creating a pairing that feels less like a match and more like a reunion between grain and glass.

Rare Breed Bourbon Barrel Proof
Bourbon

Smoked brisket with coffee rub

Rare Breed Bourbon Barrel Proof

Wild Turkey

Pairing

The charred bark and peppery fat of slow-smoked brisket finished with a coffee-chili rub mirrors the bourbon's layered intensity, while the meat's richness tames the barrel proof heat.

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