Bourbon & Boards: Putting the “CHAR” in Charcuterie with Elijah Craig

Sur La Table recently partnered with iconic American Whiskey brand Elijah Craig at our Hearst store in New York City during Elijah Craig’s sixth annual Old Fashioned Week to celebrate the perfect pairing of of bourbon, bites and boards. Infused with bold flavors and a touch of flame, this bourbon-kissed and -inspired charcuterie is sure to bring the heat to your next dinner party or seasonal gathering.

Nicknamed ‘The Father of Bourbon,’ Elijah Craig’s namesake distiller is known as the first to char in 1789. His pioneering practice of charring oak barrels before maturing Bourbon in them transformed clear, unaged corn-based whiskey into a bold amber liquid with a distinctively smooth flavor that made Bourbon what it is today.

At the New York City event, Sur La Table Resident Chef Stefanie Tepper and Elijah Craig Spirits Specialist and Portfolio Mixologist Lynn House came together to put the CHAR in charcuterie, pairing flame-kissed bites with perfectly paired takes on a classic Old Fashioned for a torching, smoking, searing and sipping experience.

The gourmet charcuterie bites and craft cocktails are now ready to replicate at home just in time for a season of holiday entertaining and hosting. Try your hand at charring, smoking, torching and glazing your way through the menu of pairings designed to ignite the senses:

• Torch-Charred Brie Bites: Simple, yet impactful on a board. The caramelized rind echoes the toasted oak notes of Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon. Recommended served with a sweet accompaniment, like an orange and honey marmalade.
  • Paired with: Spiced Bourbon Cherry Old Fashioned
• Bourbon-Pepper Steak Crostini: A hearty bite that is seared to perfection and drizzled with bourbon honey mustard, all elevated by the bourbon’s natural caramel and spice notes.
  • Paired with: 2.0 Smoky Old Fashioned
• Applewood-Smoked Whipped Ricotta: Creamy but light, best served garnished with lemon and chives for added acidity and complexity complemented by bourbon’s bright spice.
  • Paired with: 2.0 Smoky Old Fashioned
• S’mores Graham Cracker Crust Tart: Because every charcuterie board deserves a dessert course. Finish with a S’more’s Old Fashioned using Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel, for notes of tasted oak and marshmallow that mimic smoke.
  • Paired with: S’mores Old Fashioned

Elijah Craig’s flagship Small Batch Bourbon serves as the ultimate base for an Old Fashioned – smooth and warm, pleasantly woody with accents of spice, smoke and nutmeg.  Another variation, the Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel, has a finish of rich milk chocolate and a hint of smoke, making it a perfect pairing for dessert fans in the S’mores Old Fashioned.

Each pairing tells a story of heritage meeting innovation, showcasing how the same principles of experimentation, patience and craftsmanship shape both great bourbon and great cooking. Fire doesn’t just cook – it transforms, unlocking hidden aromas, intensifying flavors, and creating textures that surprise the palate. Just as flames are key to coaxing flavor from wood to whiskey, everyday ingredients like citrus, nuts, and cheese also gain unexpected complexity when kissed with char.

We hope you’ll try elevating your CHAR-cuterie experience and experiment with heat to unlock variety of new complex and delicious flavors and textures. Pair those bites with Elijah Craig Bourbon – whether neat, on the rocks or in an Old Fashioned cocktail – and enjoy an evening of endless exploration.