Saturday, February 12, 2011

Does food pairs well with scotch?

The most popular pairing of scotch is with your favorite cigar.  But a question I find myself asking is: does scotch pairs well with food?

Well, general opinion is that scotch is too strong in flavor and in alcohol to go well with food.  It is usually a delight refrained from until after dinner.  Even in Scotland, the birthplace of Scotch, there isn't much of a tradition of drinking a dram with dinner.

However, if you are a scotch fan, and would rather not wait until after dinner to start drinking, here are some pairing suggestions: 

Appetizers:
A rare and certainly unique discovery of mine is that scotch goes well with sushi.  The flavors from both complements each other well, without either side being too overpowering. 

Fish:
I like having salmon with my scotch.  A rich fish meeting a rich scotch, the smoky flavors of the drink adds a new dimension to the salmon. 

Steaky fish like Mahi-Mahi or swordfish works well too. 

Meats:
Red meats, like grilled steak or broiled lamb, make good partners with scotch.  Steakhouse food, with bold but simple flavors, are generally good choices as they cannot compete with the smoky undertones of the scotch.  Be careful adding garlic and scotch together, as their flavor tends to clash. 

Deserts:
I don't really favor drinking scotch with desert, as the sweetness may be too distracting.  That said, chocolate-based deserts work reasonably well here.  Certainly try to avoid eating too much desert while drinking your scotch if you desire to get the most out of the drink.

Dig in, and bottoms-up my friend.

72 comments:

  1. I always enjoyed scotch with a nice porterhouse and asparagus. But I still agree, it's more of an 'after dinner' thing.

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  2. this is very useful info for scotch-virgins like me:)

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  3. I wouldn't really drink it with dinner personally...

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  4. I find scotch a bit strong to go with food as I like something that will wash the food down a bit.
    As an Englishman, we have a plentiful supply of Scotch, and I do drink it on occasion. will follow your blog.

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  5. You know what food I like to eat with my scotch? Whiskey jello.

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  6. i drink scotch with anything. this blog is awesome, I love scotch and also wouldnt mind a few posts on bourbon if ur up for it

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  7. The thing with food is you need a drink you can gulp, and scotch isnt really like that.

    Enjoying the posts though, keep it up

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  8. scotch and sushi ... really?

    would neve think of combining the two, i may have to try it out some time

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  9. I wouldn't normally drink Scotch with dinner, usually have wine or a beer, until my pallet is clear, then have a scotch as nightcap

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  10. I usually drink during the main course, i prefer wine and beer though.
    Thanks for your awesome comment on my blog!
    Keep it up!

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  11. Broiled lamb and scotch sounds great.

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  12. Im all about steak and scotches.....nice post

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  13. I never drank any type of alcohol with food other than beer. Nice post.

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  14. i bet the scotch would be amazing with steak

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  15. Wow pretty nice combination, I think!

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  16. Scotch with SUSHI, sounds amazing. Also, don't eat so much swordfish: their mecury content is much higher than any other commonly eaten fish.

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  17. Scotch with chocolate sounds like something interesting to try :D

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  18. Red meat and scotch, how manly!

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  19. I find scotch pairs well with some full English/Balkan pipe tobaccos as well.

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  20. how come you tried the scotch+sushi combo???? i don't even... srsly

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  21. At first, I was thinking scotch and sushi would be too weird a combo, but after thinking about it, it actually sounds really good. I'll definitely have to check that out.

    http://steppedkeys.blogspot.com/

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  22. I never thought about drinking scotch to dinner, it seems a bit weird.

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  23. Would not have thought of sushi, excellent.

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  24. Eh... I don't eat with my scotch. It would only tarnish my savoring.

    Scotch is good before and well after a meal.

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  25. Never really thought of scotch with food, Ill consider it the next time I have am drinking scotch.

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  26. i love scotch, scotch scotch scotch

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  27. cheese is my fave - good cheese, crackers, scotch, cigar...plus a fine dinner companion

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  28. Awesome, I love good guides for what goes with what

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  29. i usually have it with steak :)

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  30. mmmm I miss scotch. I'm on meds that make it so I shouldn't drink. But I think I can have ONE...

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  31. this was an interesting read.

    following

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  32. I've never had much luck getting good swordfish. I like ceder smoked shark steaks though, to accompany my drink of choice for the night.

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  33. Scotch is good with everything.

    Supporting as always.

    http://autotunedsoul.blogspot.com

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  34. Nice picks! I think the point of having scotch with food is for them to compliment each other which I think chocolate does well.

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  35. If I'm going with fish, I've found an EXCELLENT pairing is to have a tequila and pepper marinated swordfish. Blends excellently with a malt scotch.

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  36. I'll usually forget about my food while I drink scotch.

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  37. Mmm, I could do with some sushi and scotch right now. Yum!

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  38. I almost never drink Scotch. I almost never drink, in fact.
    One small glass is enough for me to get me drunk. (which makes getting drunk cheap...)

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  39. More of a water & food guy. But if I have to choose alcohol, I would choose beer.

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  40. i have a glass of scotch whenever i feel like ive accomplished anything =) feels good man

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  41. I've never tried scotch but I'll have to give a few of these combinations a try out now. Thanks for the post!

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  42. Scotch makes you feel like a real man. Love the taste. Good post, following now!

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  43. I had "alot" of scotch on new years eve... Never again in my life I was voming for weeks!

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  44. hmm, always drink it at partys with a beverage limit, scotch is easy to smuggle :D

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  45. I don't think I'd have it with dinner personally

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  46. I tell you what is good with scotch, chedder cheese! or any strong cheese for that matter.


    http://seedypete.blogspot.com/

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  48. nice...I will try to drink some scotch next time I eat these foods ^^

    http://skybluetrading.blogspot.com/

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  49. such strong alcohol never goes hand in hand with food in my opinion. its for drinking after the meal :)

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  50. Hmmmm... I'm not sure I'd ever drink scotch with a meal but now I know if I do! :)

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  51. Of course that scotch pairs with food :D

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  52. Very best food to pair with a really smoky Scotch is a really rare steak. The blood complements very well.

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  53. I like to have Scotch with pizza. Not too classy, I know.

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  54. good info man! :D
    thefitmuscle.blogspot.com
    $upported,returnfavourbro. :D

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  55. never had scotch with food, just on its
    own, will have to try some time

    food blog at:

    http://famishedstudent.blogspot.com/

    check it out

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  56. Interesting ideas. I'm always looking for new taste combinations.

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  57. yesterday was my birthday and i tried pairing scotch with red velvet cake. it wasn't the best combo but it worked okay. :)

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  58. Man, you're amazing at this. You take one topic and just expound upon it... and it never seems to get boring. Great job!

    I follow and support those who do likewise.
    toastburnt.blogspot.com

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  59. I enjoyed it with Oysters last night. The Glenlevit 12.

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  60. I enjoyed it with Oysters last night. The Glenlevit 12.

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