Pairing Showdown: Woodford Double Oaked vs. Jameson Black Barreled with a Juicy Patty Melt

I have to admit, I have a soft spot for bourbon, but I also appreciate the appeal of a smooth, lighter whiskey, such as Irish Whiskeys or blends like TX Whiskey or Crown Royale. Jameson's Black Barrel offers an interesting blend of the smooth Irish Whiskey flavors infused with sweet caramel notes from a blackened barrel.

I decided to see whether the rich, deep flavors of Woodford Double Oaked or the lighter, caramel-touched Jameson Black Barrel would complement a classic patty melt better. Would the Double Oaked's complexity enhance the savory taste of the patty melt, or would the lighter whiskey provide a refreshing contrast between bites, making each mouthful more enjoyable?

Most of us have fond childhood memories of an ice cold classic Coca Cola alongside a cheeseburger. Interestingly, pairing it with the Double Oaked brought out some "cola"-like flavors, perhaps due to its cherry notes. Though both share some of the same caramel, vanilla and toasted notes, the Jameson Black Barrel was not as particularly suited to the patty melt as the Double Oaked.

The Woodford Double Oaked bourbon emerged as the superior match for the patty melt, a partnership that's certainly more about tantalizing taste buds than winning any health-conscious awards. The rich, nuanced flavors of the Double Oaked bourbon melded beautifully with the fatty patty melt for a pairing I’ll likely repeat.

If you can think of a pairing with these two whiskeys that would result in the opposite outcome, we'd love to test it, so let us know!

As we continue this series comparing various food and drink pairings head-to-head, we'll discover more exciting and delicious combinations in an effort to find matches made in culinary heaven. Let's raise a toast to the Woodford Double Oaked bourbon and the flavorful patty melt for kicking off our journey. Cheers!