So you’ve been invited to a Thanksgiving dinner. The host has the food situation under control. But you can’t very well show up empty handed. What to bring? Hmmmm. Well if you’re asking us, we advise whiskey. More specifically, bourbon. We’ve been known to enjoy a bit of bourbon with dinner from time to time. It works really well with a variety of food, especially rich, full flavored foods like barbecue and steak.
Well, Thanksgiving is the mother of all feasts; roasted turkey, creamy sweet potatoes, bacon-flavored greens, oh and let’s not forget about all that gravy! That dinner needs a counterpoint, and bourbon can live up to the task.
Most importantly, bourbon pairs perfectly with all those pies at the end of the meal. Pumpkin, pecan and apple all work wonderfully with a glass of that whiskey made in the US of A. So we say, be a hero. Bring a bottle (or two) of bourbon to your Thanksgiving gathering. Here are a few recommendations to get you started.
Wild Turkey Rare Breed Barrel Proof
C’mon. What better brand of bourbon to bring on Thanksgiving than Wild Turkey? But Rare Breed isn’t just any bottle. This small batch bourbon is bottled at cask strength. Add a splash of water and let those vanilla, brown sugar and toasted oak flavors shine! This is one I’m having with my pumpkin pie and whipped cream. Pro-tip: add a splash of bourbon while whipping your cream. We live once!
Maker’s 46 French Oaked
First released in 2010, this was the first brand extension for Maker’s Mark. Those French oak staves added to Maker’s Mark barrels give Maker’s 46 added dimension and a touch of dryness. This bourbon works particularly well with chocolate pecan pie as it cuts through the richness of the decadent dessert.
Woodford Reserve Double Oaked
An interesting take on the finishing barrel phenomenon. This Kentucky straight bourbon matures as standard Woodford Reserve. The whiskey then gets re-barreled into toasted barrels for several months more. This ups the ante on those caramelized toasty notes and sweet confectionary flavors. Pair this one with your sweet potato pie. If you can’t find this bourbon, go ahead and buy their standard bottling. It is always welcome in our house.
Rabbit Hole Cavehill
Cavehill is the flagship Kentucky straight bourbon from the brand which was founded in 2012. Four grains are used in its recipe including three types of malted grains: malted wheat, honey malted barley, and malted barley. The sweet and spicy flavors found here make a great pairing for apple pie.
Basil Hayden 10 Year Bourbon
While this was originally released as an annual limited edition for the holiday season, the brand has made this a permanent addition to its portfolio beginning in 2024. This high-rye bourbon displays a balanced profile with charred wood, sweet vanilla, and cloves coming through. Try this one with a piece of cherry pie!
With Distiller, you’ll always know what’s in the bottle before you spend a cent. Rate, Review and Discover spirits! Head on over to Distiller, or download the app for iOS and Android today!
