By 
High rye, a common expression of American whisky, is appearing more and more in Scotch whisky and gives the signature smokey dram a spicier side. High rye’s influence in Scotch whisky gives the beverage its piquant backbone by introducing a high concentration of rye in the grain blend (as opposed to malted barley, the grain traditionally used in the production of Scotch whisky).
Johnnie Walker High Rye is a marquee of this rich and redolent spirit. Aged in American oak barrels, it has notes of sweet vanilla and cream and a spicy finish.
Not only is high rye eminently sippable, but it’s also a lovely complement to food. Wine and spirits experts approach pairings in one of two ways: by marrying like flavors or by combining radically different flavors. For example, lean into the heat of high rye and pair it with spicy foods (think: Thai-style red curries or Nashville-inspired hot chicken). The spirit brings out subtle nuances in different varieties of hot peppers. If you’re looking to highlight high rye’s spice rather than simply complement it, consider more spice-neutral foods, like grilled steak with caramelized onions, earthy pan-roasted mushrooms, and barbecue chicken. The sweeter notes from some of these dishes marry well with the spicy notes from Johnnie Walker High Rye, creating a pairing made in heaven.
Of course, some nights you prefer a more classic Scotch whisky with your meal. Johnnie Walker Black Label, a blended Scotch whisky that’s been aged for a minimum of 12 years, can be sipped through a variety of courses. All that time spent in the cask gives this Scotch a smooth, rounded, and almost sweet character. It’s a less spice-driven spirit, and it lingers long on the palate, so it works equally well with food and without.
Offering up notes of dark fruit, as well as cream and vanilla (like high rye), Johnnie Walker Black Label pairs best with rich dishes that can stand up to a bold spirit. Serve it with a buttery lobster roll, mac and cheese, a burger, and even hearty veggies. Because of its subtly sweet finish, this complex spirit makes a perfect companion for bittersweet desserts like dark chocolate cake.
