🥨 Pretzels & Pappy? Nah. Pair This Instead.

TOP SHELF

Bourbon + Bites: What to Eat When You Sip

Because your pour deserves more than stale pretzels

Let’s get this straight: Bourbon isn’t a sidekick. It’s the main event.

But pair it with the right food?

You just upgraded from “guy who drinks bourbon” to “guy people invite over for bourbon.”

Here’s what to eat, what to pour, and how to make every bite hit harder than barrel strength.

STARTERS: Keep Your Glass Company

🧀 Cheese & Crackers

Not your kid’s snack plate.

Go sharp (cheddar), smooth (Havarti), or nutty (Gouda).

Salt and fat + bourbon heat = magic.

🥓 Bacon-Wrapped Anything

You only live once. So wrap that life in bacon.

Scallops. Dates. Little smokies.

The bacon brings smoke. The bourbon brings fire. You bring both.

🥜 Fancy Nuts

It might be your college nickname, but in this case we’re talking snacks.

Spiced pecans, roasted almonds, honey-glazed walnuts.

Each one brings out bourbon’s oak, vanilla, and that toffee you swear is there.

🍔 Pulled Pork Sliders

Smoky meets sweet meets spicy.

Bourbon ties it all together like a damn flavor tuxedo.

(Vegan? Try jackfruit. Still slaps.)

MAINS: Where Bourbon Gets Serious

🥩 Steak

High-proof bourbon loves fat.

Ribeye or porterhouse? Yes.

Filet? Maybe not. Save the delicate stuff for Pinot fans.

🦆 Duck

Quack. Quack. And delicious.

Rich. Gamey. Classy as hell.

Duck is the move if you want to look like you know things.

🍖 Short Ribs

Slow-braised, fall-apart goodness.

Add bourbon to the sauce. Then drink it. Then brag about it.

The kind of dish that makes people ask, “Wait… you cooked this?”

DESSERT: Sweet Meets Heat

🥧 Apple Tart w/ Bourbon Caramel

Tart apples + vanilla = perfect pairing.

Add a caramel bourbon drizzle and mic drop.

Now you’re just showing off … you sexy animal.

🍞 Bread Pudding

Warm, custardy, spiced.

Pairs with high-rye bourbon like a slow dance at the end of a bottle share.

Also doubles as edible therapy.

🍫 Chocolate Mousse Cake

Wheated bourbon + milk chocolate = a hug for your tastebuds.

Deep, rich, and a little dramatic — just like your favorite pour.

You’ll start pretending this is a “tasting note” just to eat more.

THE FINAL POUR

If you’re dropping $100+ on a bottle…

At least give it a supporting cast that makes it sing.

Whether you’re:

• Wrapping bacon around everything (because you're not a coward)

• Reaching for duck like a damn sommelier (you fancy bastard)

• Or dunking cake into your glass (drink your dessert, King)

Bourbon isn’t just for sipping. It’s for pairing. Sharing. And flexing.

Now go eat like your bottle depends on it.

And send us pics if you nail one of these combos. We’ll feature the best plate in next week’s issue.