These 2 whiskies go with everything you’re going to serve at Thanksgiving dinner

Add these two whiskeys to your Thanksgiving menu for a happier holiday

By Lindsay Parrill Published November 21, 2022

Thanksgiving is a day for being with those we love, feasting on delicious food until we can feast no more, and reflecting on the things we are most thankful for. And if whiskey doesn’t top your list, we probably shouldn’t be friends. While wine and other specialty cocktails (pumpkin martini, anyone?) may be the Thanksgiving drinks that shine at your family’s table, there’s always a place for whiskey. Surprisingly, this beautiful brown liquor pairs perfectly with many traditional Thanksgiving foods with its complex, well-rounded flavors. So in your holiday preparations, be sure to pick up a few bottles of these perfect whiskeys for Thanksgiving dinner.

A Bourbon Whiskey Decanter and Bourbon on the Rocks in a Tumbler sitting on a bar with bottles in the background. — Annabelle Breakey / Getty Images

It’s difficult to narrow our selections down to two, but we understand that a full whiskey bar at Thanksgiving may not be the new tradition you want to start this year… though, it sounds like a perfectly reasonable (and spectacular) custom to us.

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Thanksgiving is an American holiday, so it makes sense to celebrate with a strictly American whiskey. Rye is a perfect choice for this. Not only is rye whiskey as American as apple pie, but its spicy kick will pair beautifully with so many of the creamy and rich Thanksgiving side dishes at your table. Rye’s peppery notes will make the rounder, smooth flavors of things like potatoes and casseroles even more interesting by adding complexity and cutting through their richness. This year, Nevada distiller Frey Ranch took the top spot in The Manual’s Spirit Awards, thanks to its farm-to-bottle concept and flavors that stick with your palate.

The second whiskey you’re going to want to stock up on is a good, fruity, single-malt. A single-malt whiskey pairs with dessert in a nearly magical way. Not sure which one to get? There are plenty of great single-malt options out there. With nutty and often vanilla and caramel notes, a single-malt is the ideal pairing for that piece of pie. Or cake. Or other glass of single-malt.

So this Thanksgiving, be sure to add these two heavenly beverages to your menu, and you can be sure you’ll have something to be thankful for.

Lindsay Parrill

Contributor

Lindsay is a graduate of California Culinary Academy, Le Cordon Bleu, San Francisco, from where she holds a degree in…

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There’s always something to be learned in the vast world of wine. Knowing a bit of the language will keep you from getting lost in translation and potentially buying something you might not like. Plus, you’ll sound informed the next time you’re in a tasting room or perusing a bottle shop, online or in person.
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Now, take your first sip. What's the mouthfeel? Is the wine light or heavy? What other sensations are there besides the taste? If it's a red, there could be tannins, which impart a sandpapery feeling like apple peels or strong black tea. Conversely, white wine's structure usually comes from acidity, which can present like lemon peel or yuzu. Lastly, notice the finish -- does the wine linger on the palate or get out quickly? How do the flavors resolve?
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