I Love Whiskey
Sweet Satisfaction: Pair Candy with Scotch, Bourbon, and More
Peanut Butter Cups
Pair with: Unpeated single malt scotch
Top pick: Glenmorangie Signet
“Signet’s use of heavily roasted chocolate malt brings forth deep notes of semi-sweet chocolate,” says Vilardi. “There’s an almost syrupy body with nutty undertones that both evokes and perfectly pairs with the saltiness of the peanut butter.” If you prefer traditional milk chocolate PB cups, that works too.
Butterfingers
Pair with: Peaty scotch
Top pick: Ardbeg 10 year old
Salty, malty, crunchy Butterfingers complement briny Islay scotches. “Balancing the coastal salt with the inherent sweet cereal flavors of the whisky is where Ardbeg excels,” Vilardi says.
Twix
Pair with: Bourbon
Top pick: Buffalo Trace
Bourbon has sweet caramel and cereal notes—kind of like a Twix. “I’ve noticed it’s not difficult for one dram of easy-sipping Buffalo Trace to turn into two,” Vilardi says. “It’s a good thing there’s a second Twix bar to go with my second pour.”
Skittles
Pair with: Japanese whisky
Top pick: Yamazaki 12 year old
“Japanese whiskies start with a crystal clear wash, filtered to avoid the malty and heavier tones of whiskey. This promotes lighter flavors like grass, citrus, and tropical fruits,” Vilardi explains. That makes these whiskies perfect to complement the variety of flavors in Skittles for an explosion of fruit flavors.
Peppermint patties
Pair with: Rye
Top pick: Knob Creek Rye
This pairing is both for flavor and for ambiance. “A York Peppermint Patty always makes me think of a snowy ski slope,” Vilardi says. “And nothing helps you warm up on a ski weekend like a bottle of spicy rye whiskey.” He suggests Knob Creek Rye, which also has a surprising mint finish. If you’re not a fan of mint chocolate, try Red Hots, since the rye has notes of cinnamon and baking spice.
Sour apple hard candy
Pair with: Irish pot still whiskey
Top pick: Green Spot
Ireland’s tradition of triple distillation “promotes the absolute lightest flavors and notes of stone fruit and citrus,” Vilardi says. “Green Spot has the unmistakable flavor of fresh green apple, paired with sweet manuka honey.” It’s excellent for sipping as you enjoy green apple Jolly Ranchers.
Raisinets
Pair with: Canadian whisky
Top pick: Alberta Rye Dark Batch
These movie theater favorites are perfect for popping with a soft, sweet, round Canadian rye. “The use of sherry in Alberta Dark Batch brings the sweet syrupy flavors of raisins into the glass,” Vilardi says. “Couple that with light hints of chocolate and spice, and that screams Raisinets.”
From the web site whiskyadvocate.com written by Brittany Risher
Peanut Butter Cups
Pair with: Unpeated single malt scotch
Top pick: Glenmorangie Signet
“Signet’s use of heavily roasted chocolate malt brings forth deep notes of semi-sweet chocolate,” says Vilardi. “There’s an almost syrupy body with nutty undertones that both evokes and perfectly pairs with the saltiness of the peanut butter.” If you prefer traditional milk chocolate PB cups, that works too.
Butterfingers
Pair with: Peaty scotch
Top pick: Ardbeg 10 year old
Salty, malty, crunchy Butterfingers complement briny Islay scotches. “Balancing the coastal salt with the inherent sweet cereal flavors of the whisky is where Ardbeg excels,” Vilardi says.
Twix
Pair with: Bourbon
Top pick: Buffalo Trace
Bourbon has sweet caramel and cereal notes—kind of like a Twix. “I’ve noticed it’s not difficult for one dram of easy-sipping Buffalo Trace to turn into two,” Vilardi says. “It’s a good thing there’s a second Twix bar to go with my second pour.”
Skittles
Pair with: Japanese whisky
Top pick: Yamazaki 12 year old
“Japanese whiskies start with a crystal clear wash, filtered to avoid the malty and heavier tones of whiskey. This promotes lighter flavors like grass, citrus, and tropical fruits,” Vilardi explains. That makes these whiskies perfect to complement the variety of flavors in Skittles for an explosion of fruit flavors.
Peppermint patties
Pair with: Rye
Top pick: Knob Creek Rye
This pairing is both for flavor and for ambiance. “A York Peppermint Patty always makes me think of a snowy ski slope,” Vilardi says. “And nothing helps you warm up on a ski weekend like a bottle of spicy rye whiskey.” He suggests Knob Creek Rye, which also has a surprising mint finish. If you’re not a fan of mint chocolate, try Red Hots, since the rye has notes of cinnamon and baking spice.
Sour apple hard candy
Pair with: Irish pot still whiskey
Top pick: Green Spot
Ireland’s tradition of triple distillation “promotes the absolute lightest flavors and notes of stone fruit and citrus,” Vilardi says. “Green Spot has the unmistakable flavor of fresh green apple, paired with sweet manuka honey.” It’s excellent for sipping as you enjoy green apple Jolly Ranchers.
Raisinets
Pair with: Canadian whisky
Top pick: Alberta Rye Dark Batch
These movie theater favorites are perfect for popping with a soft, sweet, round Canadian rye. “The use of sherry in Alberta Dark Batch brings the sweet syrupy flavors of raisins into the glass,” Vilardi says. “Couple that with light hints of chocolate and spice, and that screams Raisinets.”
From the web site whiskyadvocate.com written by Brittany Risher
