Whisky is a drink that needs no introduction – the smooth, smoky, and sophisticated drink is the go-to drink for many. When paired with the right food, whisky can deliver a memorable experience. However, one wrong move and you might turn that velvety sip into a tragic tale for the tastebuds. So, before you decide on what to pair with whisky, here are 5 things to never have with whisky!
5 Things To Never Have With Whisky: Chilli, Garlic, Blue Cheese, And More!
Chilli
It’s a no-brainer that anything beyond a certain spice level can ultimately overpower every other flavor and ruin your tasting experience. Chilli is one such food item of the 5 things to never have with whisky. While not all chillies are spicy, it can also depend on the person’s spice tolerance. For example, someone might not find a green chilli spicy at all, while someone else might certainly ask for water after a single bite.
Chillies contain capsaicin, a compound that acts as an irritant for our taste buds, skin, and eyes. Plus, when you pair chillies with whisky, the extreme spice of the former might ruin your whisky experience. Spicy food is often a bad choice to pair with any kind of alcohol, so we recommend avoiding chillies with your whisky.
Blue Cheese
There are plenty of cheeses that pair effortlessly with whisky (and other liquor as well). Be it a Gouda, Cheddar, Brie, or Camembert, these cheeses are some of the best to pair with any liquor. However, blue cheese is quite difficult to pair with whisky and other kinds of alcohol. This is because the cheese has a peculiarly strong flavor and aroma.
The peculiar flavor and aroma of this cheese makes it difficult to pair with whisky as it can easily overpower your taste buds. Whisky has a subtle aroma and flavor and if not paired well with a subtle cheese, it can result in a tastebud catastrophe.
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Garlic
Next on our list of 5 things to never have with whisky is a polarizing food item – garlic. You either hate garlic or love garlic. However, if you love garlic and wish to pair it with whisky, you must reconsider your decisions. Garlic, just like onions, has a peculiarly strong odour and taste that overpowers almost anything in the room.
When paired with whisky, garlic can easily overwhelm your taste buds and mask the flavor of the already subtle whisky. Plus, with that pungent aroma, no one would want a garlic breath! Garlic leaves a sharp, pungent, and persistent smell and taste that can make it difficult to appreciate the flavor of whisky.
Salty Foods
We all love some chips, crackers, and cured meat while drinking – after all, bite-sized foods are just too hard to resist! However, if you’re having them, make sure that they are well-seasoned and not overseasoned with salt. Many chips and crackers tend to be salty, and while they taste quite good as they are, the salt can make your whisky taste unpleasant.
The sodium in such foods can lead to fluid retention, accelerating the diuretic effect of alcohol. What this does is make your body urinate more frequently. Salty foods, thanks to sodium, also tend to dehydrate you rapidly, and when combined with the dehydrating effects of alcohol, you are vulnerable to getting dehydrated even more. So, if you are having whisky and do not wish to run to the bathroom or keep gulping water, we’ll suggest you avoid salty food.
Also Read: White Wine And Cheese: 7 Classic Combos That Always Work
Too Hot/Too Cold Food
Temperature significantly influences your alcohol drinking experience. A chilled drink is way more pleasant to drink than the same drink served at room temperature. And the same rule applies to the food you have with your drink. When pairing with whisky, make sure that your food is at the ideal temperature – not too hot nor too cold.
Foods like steak, seafood, and other cooked food are best served at a hotter temperature, while snacks like cheeses, chocolate, and cured meat are best served at slightly cooler temperatures. While serving food, make sure that the food isn’t piping hot or freezing cold, as it can easily hurt your taste buds. Moreover, if you follow that with a sip of whisky, chances are you will also ruin the flavor of the whisky.
Summing Up
Now that we have informed you of the 5 things to never have with whisky, it’s time to put that into practice. The next time you’re having whisky with friends and see a plate of blue cheese or something salty or spicy, make sure to boldly say no! Until and unless you wish to sabotage your own whisky drinking experience! With the right foods, your whisky will essentially be a star in its own right. But if paired with the wrong foods, you must brace yourself for a tragedy of the tastebuds.
FAQs
What To Avoid When Drinking Whisky?
When drinking whisky, avoid food that is loaded with salt, spice, or garlic. These ingredients can throw off the balance of your food and also ruin the flavor of the whisky.
What Is Safe To Mix With Whisky?
Cola, lemonade, coffee, soda water, and ginger ale are some of the safest mixers to mix with whisky.
What Should We Eat With Whisky?
You should eat food items like cheeses, nuts, fruits, seafood or meat, and chocolate with whisky. These pair excellently with whisky and bring out the subtle flavors of the drink.
