Can Certain Foods Negatively Affect Bourbons Taste?

[Borchard]

May be a stupid question, but are there foods that make bourbons taste bad? I had a seafood bisque for dinner tonight, and for some reason my bourbon doesn't taste as good?

[Trey Manthey]

Definitely. I've noticed peanuts mess up my palate big time.

[Pieface]

Anything with a lot of tomato seems to throw my taster off for a few hours.

[camduncan]

Chilli definately kills it for me, as does strong cheese.

[MyOldKyDram]

They surely can.

Just gotta fight through that though.

[Vosgar]

Garlic throws mine off, whether it's bourbon or even a good smokey, medicinal Scotch. Only made that mistake once

[ChainWhip]

Spicy foods will have the effect of making bourbons & scotches "hot" for me. Interestingly, spicy foods have little effect on my enjoyment of agave spirits.

[Restaurant man]

Spicy foods will have the effect of making bourbons & scotches "hot" for me. Interestingly, spicy foods have little effect on my enjoyment of agave spirits.

[mosugoji64]

Garlic and onions for me. I try to avoid them if I know I'll be imbibing later.

[JPBoston]

I find that eating goldfish crackers with my dram makes all bourbons basically taste the same. Weirdness.

[VT Mike]

Chocolate makes Bushmills 16yr Malt taste like cat pee to me.

[Enoch]

Chocolate makes Bushmills 16yr Malt taste like cat pee to me.

Really not sure what cat pee taste like. ; )

[BrandTim]

A few weeks ago I told the service staff at a restaurant where I consult to make sure anyone who orders the lobster bisque knows to finish their whiskey first ... that dish really messes with the whiskey palate.

There's a whole science to whiskey/food pairings. It's in its infancy compared to wine but I use culinary aids when I teach bourbon appreciation. Things like cheese, chocolate, oranges, dried berries ... each has a different effect.

Tim

[squire]

It does and it will but being a simple guy I eat and drink whatever I like.

[smokinjoe]

I also don't like hot/spicy foods with bourbon. Hoppy beers also funk out my bourbonatoring.

[ChainWhip]

Isit the tequila or the lime juice that often accompanies it? Acidity cuts heat.

[scubadoo97]

I just made some prepared horseradish yesterday and every pour of bourbon i tried yesterday tasted like cologne. NASTY!

Thank goodness they taste normal today

[WAINWRIGHT]

Balsamic Vinegar or any Vinaigrette will throw off your palette to no ends,it creates a highly acidic aftertaste that you just can't shake.

[Variable]

Chocolate makes Bushmills 16yr Malt taste like cat pee to me.

Really? I have been pairing chocolate with single malts for some time now. Good combination for me! Now I am curious and want to try it with some Irish whiskey!

[ChainWhip]

Now I am curious and want to try it with some Irish whiskey!

If only to finally satiate my curiosity of cat urine...

[Borchard]

A few weeks ago I told the service staff at a restaurant where I consult to make sure anyone who orders the lobster bisque knows to finish their whiskey first ... that dish really messes with the whiskey palate.

Tim

that explains it!

[VT Mike]

Really? I have been pairing chocolate with single malts for some time now. Good combination for me! Now I am curious and want to try it with some Irish whiskey!

I wasn't a big fan of Bushmills 16 yr malt in the first place (I like Blackbush, haven't tried 10 yr malt or 21 yr malt), and thought it had a mild cat pee note on its own, but a little chocolate really accentuated it.

[Flyfish]

It must be the power of suggestion, but for the last week or so every thing I eat tastes like bourbon to me. Not that I'm complaining even one tiny bit.