You’ve probably heard of pairing whisky with food, with social events, even with other drinks — but with music? It sounds unlikely, yet pairing whisky with music is nothing new.
People have been singing along to drinking songs since at least the 20th century BCE, so you’re in good company if you want to enjoy a dram alongside a few choice tunes. The tips below will help you build the perfect whisky music list.
Music taste is largely personal, but certain whiskies do lend themselves to certain genres — partly through shared imagery, partly through the musicians who famously drank them, and partly because the right soundtrack can lift a dram into a true five-sense experience.
Below, we walk through which genres and tunes pair best with a glass of bourbon, Scotch, or rye, along with a few brand recommendations to go with each.
Tennessee Whiskey and Rock N’ Roll
It could have something to do with the abundance of photos showing rockstars like Jimmy Page, Keith Richards, and Tom Petty throwing back a bottle of whiskey, but there’s something to be said about the connection between Tennessee whiskey and a good guitar riff.
Jack Daniel’s in particular has built a reputation as the go-to Rock N’ Roll drink of choice. Its rugged bottle and larger-than-life image suit the rough-and-tumble sound of rock music, and it has fueled some of the greatest songs of the past 50 years.
Mötley Crüe even swapped it in for milk on their cereal once — we wouldn’t recommend following their lead, but rockers clearly love Tennessee whiskey and have made it part of their music.
Pour a glass of Jack Daniel’s or Chattanooga Whiskey 111, sit back, and work through a few of these picks from our whisky music list:
- Fortunate Son – Creedence Clearwater Revival
- Good Times Bad Times – Led Zeppelin
- Back in Black – AC/DC
- All Along the Watchtower – Jimi Hendrix
Let the guitar and drum riffs carry you away on a Rock N’ Roll journey — just remember to drink responsibly.
Kentucky Rye and Country/Bluegrass
Although born in the same region of the United States, rye and Tennessee whiskey couldn’t taste more different. Rye brings a spicy, dry punch where a good Jack Daniel’s goes sweet and smooth — and the two whiskies pair with very different eras of music.
Get to know 5 Rye Whiskey Brands, here: https://www.whiskyflavour.com/blog/three-top-rye-whiskies/
Tennessee whiskey travels with the Rock N’ Roll it inspired worldwide, but rye stays close to the Kentucky Appalachian Mountains it calls home — the perfect match for the twang of a bluegrass guitar and the ache in a heartbroken country song.
Pour a glass of Old Forester, Wild Turkey, or Wheel Horse and settle into a few classic country and bluegrass picks from our whisky music list:
- The Gambler – Kenny Rogers
- Stand By Your Man – Tammy Wynette
- Jolene – Dolly Parton
- Strawberry Wine – Deana Carter
- The Fields Have Turned Brown – Stanley Brothers
- Feudin’ Banjos – Arthur Smith
Before long, you’ll feel like you’re driving through the Blue Ridge Mountains, enjoying some of the best rye whiskey America distills.
Scotch Whisky and Jazz Music
We know you were probably expecting to hear that scotch whisky goes best with traditional Scottish music, but that felt a little too obvious — not to mention that bagpipes have fallen out of fashion over the last few centuries. Instead, Scotch belongs with the smooth tones and complex rhythms of jazz.
Jazz and Scotch have more in common than you’d think: both are broad umbrella terms covering a wide range of regional varieties, both carry smoky undertones and silky top notes, and both have earned a reputation for sophistication that’s entirely deserved.
As pretentious as it may sound, there’s nothing quite like a cold autumn evening, a glass of Glenfiddich 18-Year, and a Miles Davis record filling the house — his horn sailing through polyrhythmic jazz scales while the whisky opens up.
A few jazz standards from our whisky music list to pair with your favorite single malt:
- I Wish I Knew How it Would Feel to Be Free – Nina Simone
- So What – Miles Davis
- Blue Train – John Coltrane
- Almost Blue – Chet Baker
- Summertime – Ella Fitzgerald
These performers will carry you through the intricate flavors of your Scotch and leave you in the mood for relaxed contemplation.
Party Tunes and Canadian Whiskey
Canadian whiskey shares bourbon’s corn backbone but blends in other grains for a lighter, sweeter profile, which makes it a natural fit for your next house party. Pair it with the same upbeat tunes you’d expect on a night out.
Crown Royal, probably the best-known Canadian whiskey internationally, carries a sweet hint of maple that works just as well as a mixer or a neat party sipper; paired with the bubbly, sugary tones of 1980’s pop, it takes on a life of its own.
For something more traditional, reach for a Canadian Club. Its wintery spice and caramel finish mix well with Coca-Cola or hold up fine on their own, over ice. Pour one and head out to the dancefloor for some fun with friends.
If pop music isn’t usually your thing, start with a few classics from our whisky music list:
- Girls Just Want to Have Fun – Cyndi Lauper
- I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me) – Whitney Houston
- Since You’ve Been Gone – Kelly Clarkson
- Yeah! – Usher
- Uptown Funk – Bruno Mars
A good party means taking your time, enjoying the night, and dancing until the sun comes up. Stock the bar with Canadian whiskey, queue up a funky pop playlist, and — as always — drink responsibly!
Conclusion
Music isn’t the first thing most people think of when pairing whisky, but the two have gone together since the dawn of mankind, shaping each other and bringing people together for fun, appreciation, and comradery. The trick is matching the right whisky to the right sound — and building a whisky music list for every spirit in your cabinet.
Whether you lean toward the Rock N’ Roll swagger of a Tennessee whiskey or the smooth jazz tones of a single malt Scotch, the right soundtrack adds a whole new layer to the dram in your glass. Put on your favorite record and take your time with it.