A Guide to Luxury Spirit and Cheese Pairings

For too long, wine has dominated the world of pairing. But spirits can unlock a whole new world of bold flavor, especially when paired with the right cheese.

We spoke to several masters of their craft from across the world to explain the complex art of cheese and spirit pairing. They shared their secrets for carefully selecting the perfect balance of flavors – and provided their favorite pairings with us to try ourselves.

This fall, try your hand at matching luxury spirits and cheeses with some help from the guide below.

Pay Attention to the Proof

“The proof of the spirit, aging, and finish all influence the choice of cheese,” says Rodrigo Bojorquez Bours, the founder and master bacanero of Kilinga Bacanora. Before pairing, take note of the proof of the spirit. The higher the proof, the more intense the spirit will be – and the harder to pair.

Ari Sussman, whiskey maker. Whiskey JYPSI agrees: “Proof is the biggest hurdle,” he adds. “A 120-proof whiskey can flatten a delicate cheese, but with a splash of water the whiskey opens up and becomes friendly.”

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