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.

231 pairings · Scotch Whisky

Tamnavulin Sherry Cask Edition Speyside Single Malt
Scotch Whisky

Dark chocolate and dried cherry tartlet

Tamnavulin Sherry Cask Edition Speyside Single Malt

Tamnavulin

Pairing

A dark chocolate ganache tartlet studded with dried Morello cherries and topped with a pinch of flaky sea salt. The bittersweet chocolate mirrors the whisky's cocoa undertones, while the tart cherries echo the sherry cask's dried fruit notes, and the salt lifts every element into sharper focus.

Dalwhinnie Distillers Edition 2023
Scotch Whisky

Poached pears with blue cheese and walnuts

Dalwhinnie Distillers Edition 2023

Dalwhinnie

Pairing

The whisky's honey and dried fruit character bridges the sweetness of the pears and the salty pungency of the blue cheese, while walnut mirrors the subtle nuttiness from the sherry cask.

Lochlea Cask Strength Lowland Single Malt
Scotch Whisky

Roasted pork loin with cider-braised apples

Lochlea Cask Strength Lowland Single Malt

Lochlea

Pairing

A bone-in pork loin roasted with sage and thyme, served alongside cider-braised apples, roasted root vegetables, and a drizzle of whole-grain mustard cream sauce. The pork's savory richness and the sweet-tart apples mirror the whisky's malty backbone and orchard-fruit character, while the mustard's gentle heat complements its spice.

Port Askaig 17yr Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Scotch Whisky

Smoked trout with apple-fennel slaw

Port Askaig 17yr Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Port Askaig

Pairing

The delicate coastal smoke of the whisky mirrors hot-smoked trout, while its honeyed malt and dried fruit notes complement a crisp slaw of thinly shaved Granny Smith apple, fennel fronds, and a light cider vinaigrette. A few toasted hazelnuts scattered on top echo the dram's nutty undertones.

Ardnamurchan Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Scotch Whisky

Smoked trout with dill crème fraîche

Ardnamurchan Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Ardnamurchan

Pairing

Lightly smoked rainbow trout fillets served over warm new potatoes with a dollop of dill crème fraîche and a scatter of capers. The gentle smoke of the fish mirrors the whisky's peaty undercurrent, while the herbaceous cream echoes its honeyed, green character.

Highland Park Cask Strength Release No. 4
Scotch Whisky

Smoked lamb chops with heather honey glaze

Highland Park Cask Strength Release No. 4

Highland Park

Pairing

Thick-cut lamb chops kissed with smoke from a charcoal grill and brushed with a heather honey and mustard glaze. Served alongside roasted root vegetables and a sprig of fresh rosemary, the dish mirrors the whisky's interplay of peat smoke, sweetness, and savory depth.

Ardbeg Corryvreckan
Scotch Whisky

Dark chocolate truffles with smoked sea salt

Ardbeg Corryvreckan

Ardbeg

Pairing

The cocoa and peat of Corryvreckan mirror the dark chocolate, while smoked sea salt amplifies the whisky's briny, maritime character without overwhelming its fruit.

Royal Lochnagar 12 Year Old Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Scotch Whisky

Roasted duck breast with blackberry-sage compote

Royal Lochnagar 12 Year Old Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Royal Lochnagar

Pairing

The malt sweetness and subtle spice of Royal Lochnagar 12 harmonize beautifully with richly rendered duck breast. A blackberry-sage compote mirrors the whisky's dried fruit and herbal undertones, while a side of roasted root vegetables echoes its earthy warmth.

Clynelish Distillers Edition 2022 Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Scotch Whisky

Seared duck breast with fig and port reduction

Clynelish Distillers Edition 2022 Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Clynelish

Pairing

The honeyed wax and dried fruit notes of the whisky intertwine beautifully with seared duck breast served alongside a fig and port reduction, with roasted root vegetables and a scattering of toasted walnuts adding earthy counterpoints that mirror the dram's subterranean depth.

Inchmurrin 18 Year Old Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Scotch Whisky

Honey-glazed duck breast with roasted stone fruit

Inchmurrin 18 Year Old Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Inchmurrin

Pairing

Pan-seared duck breast finished with a wildflower honey glaze, served alongside roasted peaches and a scattering of toasted hazelnuts. The duck's savory richness mirrors the whisky's malty core, while the caramelized fruit echoes its stone-fruit nose and the hazelnuts complement the nutty mid-palate.

Compass Box The Peat Monster
Scotch Whisky

Smoked salmon with charred sourdough

Compass Box The Peat Monster

Compass Box

Pairing

Hot-smoked salmon draped over charred sourdough toast, finished with crème fraîche, capers, and a squeeze of lemon. The smoky fish mirrors the whisky's peat, while the charred bread echoes the oak char, and the crème fraîche provides a cooling counterpoint to the spice.

Loch Lomond 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Scotch Whisky

Honey-glazed roast duck breast

Loch Lomond 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Loch Lomond

Pairing

Honey-glazed roast duck breast served with roasted root vegetables and a thyme jus. The duck's richness mirrors the whisky's creamy malt, while the honey glaze amplifies the shared sweetness; the thyme and root vegetables ground the pairing with an earthy counterpoint.

Caol Ila 18 Year Old Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Scotch Whisky

Smoked trout with fennel and citrus salad

Caol Ila 18 Year Old Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Caol Ila

Pairing

Cold-smoked trout fillets served alongside shaved fennel, blood orange segments, and a light vinaigrette of lemon juice, olive oil, and cracked black pepper. The fish's gentle smoke mirrors the whisky's restrained peat, while the fennel's anise brightness and citrus acidity lift the palate between sips, creating a harmonious coastal dialogue.

Mortlach 20 Year Old Cowie's Blue Seal Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Scotch Whisky

Braised oxtail with root vegetables

Mortlach 20 Year Old Cowie's Blue Seal Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Mortlach

Pairing

Slow-braised oxtail in red wine with roasted parsnips, celery root, and a scatter of fresh thyme mirrors Mortlach's meaty, deeply savory character. The collagen-rich, falling-apart meat echoes the whisky's viscous texture, while the sweetness of caramelized root vegetables harmonizes with its dark fruit notes.

Aberfeldy 21 Year Old Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Scotch Whisky

Honey-glazed duck breast with roasted stone fruit

Aberfeldy 21 Year Old Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Aberfeldy

Pairing

A honey-lacquered duck breast served alongside roasted peaches and a handful of toasted hazelnuts mirrors the whisky's honeyed sweetness and nutty depth, while the duck's savory richness provides a satisfying counterpoint to the malt's creamy texture.

GlenAllachie 18 Year Old
Scotch Whisky

Dark chocolate torte with candied orange

GlenAllachie 18 Year Old

GlenAllachie

Pairing

The torte's bittersweet chocolate and candied orange rind echo the whisky's cocoa and citrus notes, while the pastry's richness complements the sherry cask depth.

Glenmorangie Nectar d'Or
Scotch Whisky

Crème brûlée with lavender

Glenmorangie Nectar d'Or

Glenmorangie

Pairing

The custard's caramelized sugar top echoes the whisky's honey sweetness, while the lavender mirrors its floral undertones, creating a seamless dessert pairing.

Port Charlotte 10 Year Old Heavily Peated Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Scotch Whisky

Oak-Smoked Scottish Salmon with Horseradish Crème Fraîche

Port Charlotte 10 Year Old Heavily Peated Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Port Charlotte

Pairing

The cold-smoked richness of Scottish salmon mirrors and amplifies Port Charlotte's maritime smoke, while the fatty, silky texture of the fish tames the whisky's peppery bite. A dollop of horseradish crème fraîche provides a sharp, cooling counterpoint that brings the pairing's smoky elements into vivid focus — embers meeting clarity on the palate. Serve on dark rye toast points with a scatter of capers and dill.

Tamdhu Batch Strength Sherry Oak Casks
Scotch Whisky

Dark chocolate torte with candied orange

Tamdhu Batch Strength Sherry Oak Casks

Tamdhu

Pairing

A dense dark chocolate torte with candied orange peel and a dusting of cocoa mirrors the whisky's sherry-driven richness, while the citrus cuts through the intensity on both plate and palate.

Pulteney Huddart Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Scotch Whisky

Smoked Salmon Rillettes on Oatcakes

Pulteney Huddart Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Old Pulteney

Pairing

Hot-smoked Scottish salmon folded into crème fraîche with dill, capers, and a squeeze of lemon, served on rough-milled oatcakes. The salmon's brine and smoke echo the whisky's coastal peat, while the oatcakes mirror its malty backbone. The crème fraîche's tang lifts the caramel sweetness, creating a pairing rooted in the same Highland larder that has sustained Wick for centuries.

Oban 18 Year Old
Scotch Whisky

Seared duck breast with cherry reduction

Oban 18 Year Old

Oban

Pairing

The rich dried fruit and smoky undertones of the Oban pair beautifully with the gamey sweetness of duck, while the cherry reduction echoes the whisky's dark fruit complexity.

Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban 14 Year Old
Scotch Whisky

Dark Chocolate and Fig Tart with Sea Salt

Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban 14 Year Old

Glenmorangie

Pairing

A bittersweet tart built on a buttery shortcrust base, filled with 70% cacao ganache folded with dried Mission figs and topped with flaky Maldon salt. The whisky's port-cask richness mirrors the chocolate's depth while its citrus brightness cuts through the ganache. The figs in the tart echo the dried fruit notes from the port pipes, and the sea salt amplifies every flavor on both plate and palate.

Talisker 57° North
Scotch Whisky

Charcoal-grilled lamb chops

Talisker 57° North

Talisker

Pairing

The char and fat of lamb chops mirror the whisky's smoky intensity, while rosemary and garlic complement its herbal peat character.

Springbank 18 Year Old
Scotch Whisky

Aged Comté with quince paste

Springbank 18 Year Old

Springbank

Pairing

The nutty, crystalline sweetness of 24-month Comté meets the whisky's dried-fruit richness, while quince paste echoes the honeyed smoke on the finish.

Glenkinchie Distillers Edition 2023
Scotch Whisky

Smoked salmon with dill crème fraîche

Glenkinchie Distillers Edition 2023

Glenkinchie

Pairing

The whisky's peach and honey notes play beautifully against the richness of cold-smoked salmon, while the Lowland grassiness echoes the fresh dill in the crème fraîche topping.

Glenmorangie A Tale of the Forest
Scotch Whisky

Herb-Crusted Rack of Highland Lamb with Roasted Root Vegetables

Glenmorangie A Tale of the Forest

Glenmorangie

Pairing

The whisky's juniper and herbal complexity mirrors the rosemary-thyme crust on the lamb, while its honeyed malt sweetness harmonizes with the caramelized edges of roasted parsnips, carrots, and turnips. The gentle clove spice in the finish cuts through the lamb's richness, creating a rhythmic dialogue between plate and glass — each bite resetting the palate for the next sip, and vice versa.

Tomatin Cù Bòcan
Scotch Whisky

Honey-glazed smoked salmon

Tomatin Cù Bòcan

Tomatin

Pairing

The delicate peat mirrors the salmon's smoke, while the whisky's honey and peach notes complement the sweet glaze and the fish's natural richness.

Glen Grant 12 Year Old
Scotch Whisky

Honey-glazed roasted pear

Glen Grant 12 Year Old

Glen Grant

Pairing

The whisky's peach and honey notes echo the caramelized sweetness of a roasted pear finished with a drizzle of heather honey and crumbled shortbread.

Old Pulteney 25 Year Old
Scotch Whisky

Honey-glazed smoked salmon

Old Pulteney 25 Year Old

Old Pulteney

Pairing

Cold-smoked salmon lightly glazed with wildflower honey bridges the whisky's maritime salinity and its honeyed sweetness, while the fish's oily richness matches the silky texture.

Benromach 21 Year Old
Scotch Whisky

Dark chocolate truffles with sea salt

Benromach 21 Year Old

Benromach

Pairing

The whisky's cocoa depth and dried fruit sweetness mirror dark chocolate, while its clove spice and oak provide a counterpoint to the salt. Choose truffles at 70% cacao for the best pairing.

Talisker Distillers Edition 2022
Scotch Whisky

Smoked salmon with dill crème fraîche

Talisker Distillers Edition 2022

Talisker

Pairing

The whisky's brine and gentle peat echo the smokiness of the salmon, while dried fruit sweetness plays against the herbal brightness of dill and tangy crème fraîche.

Kilchoman 100% Islay 13th Edition
Scotch Whisky

Smoked oysters with mignonette

Kilchoman 100% Islay 13th Edition

Kilchoman

Pairing

Freshly shucked oysters smoked lightly over apple wood, served with a classic shallot-red wine vinegar mignonette — the brine and smoke mirror the whisky's coastal character.

Ledaig 18 Year Old
Scotch Whisky

Smoked duck breast with cherry compote

Ledaig 18 Year Old

Ledaig

Pairing

The duck's rendered fat and smoky skin echo the malt's peat character, while the tart cherry compote mirrors the dried fruit and dark cocoa notes on the finish.

Benromach Cask Strength Vintage 2010
Scotch Whisky

Dark chocolate-dipped dried apricots

Benromach Cask Strength Vintage 2010

Benromach

Pairing

The whisky's dried fruit and cocoa notes harmonize with the chocolate coating and apricot tang, while the cask strength intensity holds up against the sweetness of the pairing.

Scapa Glansa Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Scotch Whisky

Smoked salmon rillettes on oatcakes

Scapa Glansa Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Scapa

Pairing

The buttery richness of salmon rillettes echoes the whisky's creamy texture, while the gentle smokiness of both fish and dram meet in harmony. Rough-ground oatcakes provide a mineral, toasty contrast.

Glendronach 21 Year Old Parliament
Scotch Whisky

Dark chocolate torte with candied orange

Glendronach 21 Year Old Parliament

GlenDronach

Pairing

The whisky's deep sherry fruit and cocoa notes intertwine naturally with a bittersweet chocolate torte, while candied orange on the plate mirrors the marmalade notes on the nose.

Glenfiddich 14 Year Old Bourbon Barrel Reserve
Scotch Whisky

Vanilla panna cotta with peach compote

Glenfiddich 14 Year Old Bourbon Barrel Reserve

Glenfiddich

Pairing

A lightly set vanilla bean panna cotta topped with roasted white peach slices and a drizzle of wildflower honey — the dessert's gentle sweetness and creamy texture echo the whisky's buttery, fruit-forward profile without overwhelming it.

Auchroisk 10 Year Old Flora & Fauna
Scotch Whisky

Honey-glazed roasted salmon

Auchroisk 10 Year Old Flora & Fauna

Auchroisk

Pairing

Wild salmon fillet roasted with a honey-thyme glaze, served alongside roasted fingerling potatoes and wilted watercress — the honey mirrors the malt while the fish's fatty richness complements the buttery texture.

Mannochmore 12 Year Old Flora & Fauna
Scotch Whisky

Lemon-thyme roasted chicken

Mannochmore 12 Year Old Flora & Fauna

Mannochmore

Pairing

The whisky's delicate floral and honey notes pair beautifully with herb-roasted chicken, where the peach undertones complement the lemon's brightness and the malt echoes the golden skin.

GlenAllachie 12 Year Old
Scotch Whisky

Dark chocolate torte with candied orange

GlenAllachie 12 Year Old

GlenAllachie

Pairing

The torte's bittersweet chocolate and candied citrus amplify the whisky's cocoa and orange peel notes, while the sherry-cask sweetness bridges dessert and dram.

Talisker Distillers Edition 2023
Scotch Whisky

Grilled lamb chops with rosemary and sea salt

Talisker Distillers Edition 2023

Talisker

Pairing

The smoky char of the lamb meets the whisky's peat, while the herb crust echoes the dried fruit sweetness and the sea salt amplifies Talisker's signature brine.

Daftmill 2011 Summer Batch Release
Scotch Whisky

A plate of aged Scottish cheddar, a drizzle of heather honey, and a slice of oat cake — mirroring the whisky's grain and orchard-fruit core without overwhelming it.

Daftmill 2011 Summer Batch Release

Daftmill Distillery (Cuthbert family)

Pairing

A plate of aged Scottish cheddar, a drizzle of heather honey, and a slice of oat cake — mirroring the whisky's grain and orchard-fruit core without overwhelming it.

Deanston 12 Year Old
Scotch Whisky

Warm apple tart

Deanston 12 Year Old

Distell Group (Burn Stewart Distillers)

Pairing

Pair with: Warm apple tart with a crumble topping and a drizzle of salted caramel. The whisky’s honeyed malt amplifies the baked fruit while its nutty dryness contrasts the caramel’s sweetness.

Old Pulteney 12 Year Old
Scotch Whisky

Smoked salmon on dark rye

Old Pulteney 12 Year Old

Inver House Distillers (Thai Beverages)

Pairing

Smoked salmon on dark rye with a squeeze of lemon and crème fraîche. The whisky's brine and honey meet the smoke and fat of the salmon in perfect coastal harmony.

Ailsa Bay Sweet Smoke
Scotch Whisky

Smoked salmon canapés

Ailsa Bay Sweet Smoke

William Grant & Sons

Pairing

Pair with: Smoked salmon canapés with honey-dill crème fraîche — the smoke meets smoke while the honey bridges to the whisky's sweetness score.

Caol Ila 12 Year Old
Scotch Whisky

Fresh oysters on the half shell

Caol Ila 12 Year Old

Diageo

Pairing

Pair with: Fresh oysters on the half shell with a squeeze of lemon, or a plate of smoked Scottish salmon with capers — the maritime character of the whisky echoes the brine of the sea.

Kilchoman Machir Bay
Scotch Whisky

Smoked salmon on dark rye bread

Kilchoman Machir Bay

Kilchoman Distillery Co. (Independent)

Pairing

Pair with: Smoked salmon on dark rye bread with a squeeze of lemon — the smoke in both amplifies the maritime character.

Auchentoshan Three Wood
Scotch Whisky

Dark chocolate tart

Auchentoshan Three Wood

Beam Suntory

Pairing

Dark chocolate tart with salted caramel — the PX sweetness and dark fruit in the whisky find their mirror in the chocolate and caramel.

Lagavulin 16 Year Old
Scotch Whisky

Hot-smoked salmon and crème fraîche on dark rye — the smoke in the fish meets the whisky's peat, and the fatty richness of the crème fraîche softens the intensity beautifully.

Lagavulin 16 Year Old

Diageo plc

Pairing

Pair with: Hot-smoked salmon and crème fraîche on dark rye — the smoke in the fish meets the whisky's peat, and the fatty richness of the crème fraîche softens the intensity beautifully.

Macallan 12 Year Old Sherry Oak
Scotch Whisky

Aged Manchego cheese

Macallan 12 Year Old Sherry Oak

Edrington Group (The Macallan, est. 1824)

Pairing

Pair with: Aged Manchego cheese with quince paste and Marcona almonds. The sherry-cask whisky and Spanish cheese share a lineage — both shaped by time and Iberian tradition. The quince paste mirrors the dried fruit, and the almonds echo the nutty oak.

Talisker 10 Year Old
Scotch Whisky

Pan-seared halibut

Talisker 10 Year Old

Diageo (Talisker Distillery, est. 1830)

Pairing

Pair with: Pan-seared halibut with seaweed butter and crispy capers. The whisky’s maritime salt and smoke mirror the sea flavors, while the black pepper cuts through the richness of the butter.

Oban 14 Year Old
Scotch Whisky

Seared scallops

Oban 14 Year Old

Diageo (Oban Distillery, est. 1794)

Pairing

Pair with: Seared scallops with brown butter and capers. Oban’s sea salt and honey profile is a natural match for sweet shellfish, and the whisky’s gentle smoke echoes the caramelization on the sear.

Laphroaig 10 Year Old
Scotch Whisky

Cold-smoked salmon

Laphroaig 10 Year Old

Suntory Global Spirits (Laphroaig Distillery, est. 1815)

Pairing

Pair with: Cold-smoked salmon with crème fraîche and capers on dark rye. The whisky’s brine and smoke mirror the salmon, while the cream and bread provide a gentle landing pad for all that intensity.

Glenfarclas 12 Year Old
Scotch Whisky

Dark chocolate truffles

Glenfarclas 12 Year Old

J. & G. Grant (family-owned, 6th generation)

Pairing

Pair with: Dark chocolate truffles with orange zest — the sherry-rich whisky amplifies the cocoa and citrus.

Yamazaki 12 Year
Scotch Whisky

Lightly seared salmon

Yamazaki 12 Year

Yamazaki

Pairing

Lightly seared salmon with a yuzu-miso glaze, or a plate of aged Comté cheese with honeycomb and marcona almonds.

Lagavulin 16 Year
Scotch Whisky

Pair

Lagavulin 16 Year

Lagavulin

Pairing

Pair with cold-smoked salmon on dark rye, a sharp aged cheddar, or dark chocolate with sea salt — anything that can stand shoulder to shoulder with the smoke and sweetness without flinching.

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