Its almost Thanksgiving again, and nothing pairs better with a turkey and all the trimmings than good old American bourbon. With its distinctive vanilla and caramel notes and a good balance of spice and sweetness, the right bourbon will pair well with just about everything you might serve at Thanksgiving dinner. Here are 5 bourbons guaranteed to please this turkey day.
1. Woodford Reserve Bourbon
No bourbon pairs better with Thanksgiving desserts than Woodford Reserve. With notes of chocolate, oak and spice along with the classic vanilla and caramel notes in bourbon, Woodford Reserve is the perfect way to end a big meal. Pair this with with a slice of pecan pie topped with a dollop of Woodford Reserve whipped cream or some apple pie ala mode and you will see why Woodford Reserve is considered an American classic.
To up the ante, look for the recently released Woodford Reserve Master's Collection Maple Wood Finish. Rich, spicy and with a long, complex finish, you could easily skip dessert itself and just enjoy a nightcap of the Woodford Master's Collection to finish off a big feast.
2. Old Forester
Brown-Forman
Old Forester comes in a few different marques, from regular Old Forester to 100 proof Signature to Birthday Bourbon. The entry level Old Forester is one of the great values in American bourbon and the quality only gets better as you move up within this brand. If you enjoy a Manhattan cocktail with Thanksgiving dinner, make sure to try an Old Forester Signature Manhattan this year. You and Old Forester Signature will both be the hit of Thanksgiving dinner if you do.
3. Wild Turkey 101
Wild Turkey 101 is a fuller, richer expression of the classic Wild Turkey profile. Spicy, with a distinct cinnamon note that characterizes all Wild Turkey bourbons, 101 is a great choice for those that like to drink their bourbon either on the rocks or in a cocktail. Its fuller body and higher proof deliver maximum flavor without becoming watered down. Try Wild Turkey 101 with side dishes like cranberry sauce and sweet potatoes for a perfect pairing.
4. Makers 46
Shannon Graham
The new offering from the Makers Mark people, 46 is a higher proof, spicier and fuller bodied brother to the lighter bodied, sweeter, Makers. While classic Makers is a mainstay at many Thanksgiving dinners given its light, sweet, satisfying flavor, Makers 46 reaches for new avenues by adding a strong spice element to the classic dominant vanilla flavor of classic Makers. Serve 46 if you want to add a nice spice element to complement bold flavors on the table and switch up to classic Makers for the dessert course to really showcase the flavors of both bourbons.
5. Gentleman Jack
Lance Mayhew
Ok, Gentleman Jack, the premium offering from Jack Daniels is technically a Tennessee whiskey and not a bourbon (the difference being that Tennessee whiskies are dripped through sugar maple charcoal after distillation to mellow the spirit). That said, Gentleman Jack is a smooth, sippable and utterly enjoyable way to spend Thanksgiving dinner. If you are only planning on buying one bottle of whiskey for Thanksgiving dinner, make it Gentleman Jack. You'll please the Jack Daniels drinkers, the novice whiskey drinkers, the veteran bourbon afficionados, the foodies and also those with little to no experience drinking distilled spirits. In sum, if there is a whiskey guaranteed to please this Thanksgiving, its Gentleman Jack.