The 2010 Winter Olympics are ready to begin in beautiful Vancouver Canada. For 16 days, over 5,500 athletes from more than 80 nations around the globe will compete in a variety of winter sports, from ice hockey to curling to figure skating. For those of you watching the world’s best athletes compete in the Olympics from home here are some great whiskey pairings for the events.
1. Figure Skating
The most elegant sport on ice deserves an equally sophisticated pairing. Try a Kentucky coffee while rooting your favorite athlete on to the medal stand.
2. Bobsled
Bobsled, or bobsleigh as the Canadians call it, involves shooting down an icy slide in a toboggan with a 2 or 4 person team. The American bobsled team trains at the United States Olympic Training Center in Lake Placid, New York, not far from Tuthilltown Spirits. A nice dram of their Baby Bourbon will keep you warm as you watch the action.
3. Ice Hockey
Canada's national winter sport (lacrosse being Canada's national summer sport) naturally calls for something with Canadian whisky. Try a Canadian Cocktail and watch the action on the ice.
4. Curling
Curling was invented by the Scots in the 1500s. What better to complement a day of brooms, rocks and sliders than a nice dram of Laphroaig 10 single malt scotch whisky?
5. Biathlon
The stress of cross country skiing combined with the precision and concentration needed for air rifle accuracy makes this one of the hardest Olympic sports. A good Swedish whisky from Mackmyra will help you root on the favorites in this contest.
6. Skeleton
A sport similar to its cousin the luge except that you go down the track headfirst. I can't imagine a more dangerous sport. Patrick Shannon from Ireland is my pick for gold and I'll root him on from the comfort and safety of my own home with an Irish Coffee in my hand.
7. Ski Jumping
While most of us may think of Vinko Bogataj and Eddie "the Eagle" Edwards, the Austrian ski jumping team has 4 of the top 5 jumpers in the world for this Olympics. Celebrate Austrian medals with a dram of Austria's finest whiskies from Hans Reisetbauer.
8. Snowboarding
Chants of "USA!, USA!, USA!" will fill the air when Shaun White takes to the slopes. Celebrate American victories in this event with another American original, the Stone Fence cocktail.
9. Alpine Skiiing
While Ghana is fielding a one man ski team this Olympics, the Italians are a traditional skiing powerhouse. Try a Godfather cocktail while watching any of the downhill events for a smooth and easy complement to the action on the slopes. I particularly enjoy Dewars scotch in this drink.
10. Speedskating
Apolo Anton Ohno may be America's darling in this Olympiad, I'll always prefer Eric Heiden. Either way, speedskating offers some interesting whiskey pairings. A nice single malt Japanese whisky like Yamazaki 18 would be a fantastic choice, but I'm opting for Charbay's Double and Twisted light whiskey. It is a quick, smooth and elegant whiskey, just like this events competitors.