10 Whisky and Food Pairings in the USA, from First Dram to Last

1.Beyond the Barrel: NuLu Walking Bourbon & Food Pairing Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 158 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $199Our pick

Spend about three hours walking one mile through Louisville’s NuLu district, pairing bourbon and craft cocktails with five food stops. Guides such as Cathy, Allison, Anna, and Annie add local bourbon history, while the small group keeps the evening personal. Mocktails and dietary accommodations are available with advance notice.

“It was a lot of fun, the tour took us to wonderful spots I never would have found on my own. The drinks, the food and the company were all great! Cathy is a fun and really knowledgeable tour guide! This is a tour not to be missed.”

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2.Distillery District Food & History Tour in Lexington

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 85 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $99

Meet Kay or another Bites of the Bluegrass guide at RELIC Lexington for a three-hour food and history walk through the James E. Pepper Distillery District. Expect bourbon, beer, cider, pizza, hot honey chicken, ice cream, and local favorites such as burgoo, with most stops close together.

“Fabulous experience once we located the meeting place. Interesting history, good food and beverage. Tour guide cute and enthusiastic.”

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3.Beer, Bourbon, & BBQ Food Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 81 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $175

Spend about four hours tasting Nashville barbecue, Tennessee spirits, and local beer with a guide such as Ray, Bob, John, or Emily. The small group, capped at 14, travels by air-conditioned bus from downtown to Central BBQ, Corsair Distillery, and New Heights Brewing Company. Tastings and transport are included, but extra drinks cost more.

“Very Good tour. The guide was very knowledgeable. The weather was terrible so the tour made the day a decent one!!”

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4.Louisville: Private Guided Food, Bourbon & History Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 45 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $300

You’ll join a private Louisville Food Tours guide for small bites, bourbon, cocktails, and local stories across Bardstown Road, Cave Hill Cemetery, Whiskey Row, NuLu, and Butchertown. Depending on your booked time, you may sample Hot Brown-inspired food, fried chicken, beer cheese, biscuits, bourbon balls, and Modjeska while learning about Muhammed Ali, Colonel Sanders, Prohibition, and Louisville’s markets.

“Really great food tour. Enjoyed every stop, the signature cocktails, and the great storytelling by Laci. I would recommend!”

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5.St. Augustine Distillery: A Bourbon & Chocolate Pairing

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 26 reviews · from $28Best value

Spend 30 minutes at St. Augustine Distillery tasting premium spirits with chocolate and other snacks. An English-speaking guide introduces the tasting wheel, shows you how to spot flavor notes, and explains why certain foods work with bourbon. The class is wheelchair accessible and limited to adults age 21 and older.

“Melody was incredible. My husband and I were impressed by her knowledge and passion for the spirits we sampled. We highly recommend this tour.”

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6.Nashville: Whiskey or Wine and Chocolate Pairing Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 22 reviews · 45 min · from $40

At Nashville Barrel Co., choose a spirits flight of bourbon, rye, and agave or four wines, two reds and two whites. A guide such as Justin leads you through the pours and chocolate pairings, explains how the drinks are made, and answers questions in an informal, wheelchair-accessible tasting room.

“Justin was echt een aardige kerel. Het was heel gezellig en interessant.”

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7.Whiskey or Wine Pairing with Chocolate Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 13 reviews · 40 minutes (approx.) · from $40

At Nashville Barrel Co, a guide leads you through four whiskeys or four wines paired with Ghirardelli chocolates. You can ask questions as you taste, and guides such as David bring an easy, informed touch to the session. The experience begins and ends at 222 Fesslers Ln at 3:00 pm.

“Great vibe and very friendly staff. Paired chocolate with bourbon and it was a great experience. Would recommend you anyone.”

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8.Distillery District Food, Drink, and History Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6 reviews · 4 hours · from $110

Spend four hours with a local Bites of the Bluegrass guide touring Lexington’s James E. Pepper Distillery District. You’ll visit five to six food and drink stops, sample three small plates, artisan ice cream, bourbon, and cider, and hear how James E. Pepper helped shape American whiskey. Guides Kate and Dana have earned special praise for their warm hosting.

“Kate was a fantastic host! Generous food portions & a great sampling of local libations.”

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9.Chattanooga Southern Food and Wine or Whiskey Tour with Tastings

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $299

Spend five hours tasting Georgia wine and Tennessee whiskey, touring the Chattanooga Choo Choo area, and sharing dinner at Nic & Norman’s. Your guide handles the driving, tastings, and timing for a group of up to 14. Ryan has led particularly warm, history-filled tours, though guide assignments can vary.

“Had a great time would definitely do another tour! Highly recommend to see for yourself, they worked hard to help me and my family have a good experience.”

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10.Whiskey & Chocolate Pairing Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2 reviews · 2 to 3 hours (approx.)

Board a private yacht at 302 Harbor Blvd in Destin for a two to three hour cruise along the Emerald Coast. Captain and mate Josh and Larry welcome your group while an experience concierge pairs rare bourbons with premium chocolates. The yacht returns to the same meeting point, and the experience is limited to your own group of up to 12.

“The BEST!!! We will rent a tour from him every time we are in town!! We had a blast me & my family!!”

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