Peggy Noe Stevens is a master taster, whiskey reviewer, and competition judge. She is known for her super palate in the industry, as well as her founding innovations connecting whiskey and food pairing styles and methods.
In each issue of American Whiskey, we feature whiskey brands alongside inspiration for creating unique profiles and food pairings. The following is a guideline to discovering the ultimate food pairings for your guests.
How to pair
Balance is when you complement a predominant note in the whiskey and balance the flavors so one does not dominate over the other. It creates harmony.
Counterbalance is when opposites attract and you fire up a food flavor, only to have the flavors of the whiskey tame and neutralize any spikes of difference.
Explosion is almost too much of a good thing, when you take a predominant whiskey note and dial up the food match, to create surround sound flavors that slap an immediate smile on your face and palate.
Old Hamer 10 Years Old Small Batch Bourbon
Made by: West Fork Whiskey Co
Category: Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Proof: 100 proof / 50% ABV
Mash bill: 99 per cent corn, 1 per cent malted barley
Age: 10 Years Old
“Old Hamer is rooted in Indiana whiskey history and reflects our interest in preserving and reintroducing styles specific to this state. The mash bill — 99 per cent corn and 1 per cent malted barley— is relatively unusual for a bourbon, and that simplicity is part of what gives the whiskey its identity. Rather than leaning on rye or wheat for structure, it allows age, barrel influence, and the base grain itself to carry the profile,” said co-founder Blake Jones.
“The 10-year expression was intended to show what that recipe can become over time. At that age, the whiskey develops more depth and texture while still holding onto the sweeter, softer qualities that make it distinctive. Bottled at 100 proof, it lands in a place that feels mature and expressive without becoming overly tannic or aggressive.
“West Fork Whiskey Co is an Indiana distillery with a focus on whiskey and on the broader history of distilling in the state. From the beginning, part of our work has been to connect modern production and blending with older Indiana whiskey traditions, including names and styles that had largely disappeared from the market.
“Old Hamer has been an important part of that effort. It gave us an opportunity to revive a historic Indiana bourbon name and present it in a way that feels relevant to contemporary drinkers while still respecting its origins.”
Tasting notes for Old Hamer 10 Years Old Small Batch include granola bar, golden raisin, mandarin, and baking spices. Read Peggy's full review here.
Pairing Old Hamer 10 Years Old Small Batch
Balance
Simple pairing: Plum slices
Appetizer/entrée/dessert: Macerated fruit compote with nectarines and plum
Counterbalance
Simple pairing: Crispy bacon strip
Appetizer/entrée/dessert: Wrapped brie in pastry dough
Explosion
Simple pairing: Glazed dark cherry pastry
Appetizer/entrée/dessert: Chocolate croissants
Old Fitzgerald 7 Years Old Bottled-In-Bond
Made by: Heaven Hill
Category: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Proof: 100 Proof / 50% ABV
Mashbill: 68 per cent corn, 20 per cent wheat, 12 per cent malted barley
Age: 7 Years Old
Old Fitzgerald has always been guided by a commitment to craftsmanship and tradition, dating back to its origins in 1870. Inspired by the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897, a landmark in quality and transparency, the brand continues to honor those exacting standards today.
The 7-year-old expression reflects a thoughtful balance of time, technique, and ingredient selection, with a wheated mashbill that lends a softer, more rounded character. Each release is carefully aged and monitored to ensure it delivers the consistency and depth that have defined Old Fitzgerald for generations.
For master distiller Conor O’Driscoll, the process is as much about stewardship as it is innovation. “Old Fitzgerald represents a legacy of doing things the right way — patiently, deliberately, and without compromise. With this 7-Year-Old expression, we’re showcasing how time and a wheated recipe can come together to create a bourbon that’s both approachable and deeply complex. It’s a whiskey made to be shared and appreciated.”
That philosophy carries through every step of production, from grain selection to barrel aging. The result is a bourbon that not only reflects Heaven Hill’s heritage, but also its ongoing dedication to quality, inviting both long-time enthusiasts and new drinkers to experience a piece of that legacy in every pour.
Tasting notes for the Old Fitzgerald 7 Years Old Bottled-in-Bond include butterscotch, pumpkin spice, marmalade, and pear syrup. Read Peggy's full review here.
Pairing Old Fitzgerald 7 Years Old Bottled-in-Bond
Balance
Simple pairing: Honeyed granola
Appetizer/entrée/dessert: Pumpkin spice cheesecake
Counterbalance
Simple pairing: Bit O-Honey
Appetizer/entrée/dessert: Bacon-wrapped scallop
Explosion
Simple pairing: Slice of peach tatin
Appetizer/entrée/dessert: Date bread
