Doughnut and Whisky Bars? Yes!

Christian Spece and her husband Ronnie first had the idea to open a whisky and doughnut bar in 2015. “It combined one of our favorite indulgences from our childhoods with our adult passions,” Spece explains. “The more we thought about it, the more we realized how well the two fit. Both offer a myriad of parallel and complementary flavors, playing with and off each other.”

They opened Batch in Tucson, Arizona in 2016 and today offer more than 1,200 whiskies along with rotating flavors of craft doughnuts, such as cookie dough s’mores, caramel turtle, and apple Jack Daniel’s, with or without a whisky kick.

The Speces aren’t the only ones who’ve figured out that partnering pastries with whisky makes them both taste even better than solo. You can find a few venues throughout the country with pairings and flights on their menus.

“Pairing doughnuts with whisky is a delightful way to explore and enjoy the complex flavors of both,” says Josh Schwartz, manager of Bluegrass Coffee & Bourbon Lounge in Arvada, Colorado, which boasts an extensive whisky list and serves cinnamon sugar zeppole doughnuts. “The sweetness of the doughnuts and the rich notes of the barrel work so well with each other.”

And since both the baked good and the spirit come in so many flavors, you can combine complementary or contrasting notes, with success in either case. “Formulating pairings between doughnuts and whisky involves considering how their flavors and textures interact,” explains Kylee McCoy, marketing director of Donut Distillery, a bakery with locations in Mississippi, Tennessee, and Texas that offers flights of both. Complementing flavors enhance each other.

“For example, a whisky with caramel notes complements a doughnut with a caramel glaze, heightening the caramel flavor experience,” McCoy says. And contrasting flavors balance each other out. So, if you have a spicy rye whiskey, pairing that with a sweet doughnut will temper the heat from the drink while the rye will take the sugar down a notch.

Find Your Dough-licious Match

“Experimenting with different pairings allows you to discover combinations highlighting the best aspects of the whiskey and the doughnut,” McCoy adds. For example, the crowd favorite at Donut Distillery in Oxford, Mississippi is Angels Envy with the Sweet Swine doughnut, which features maple frosting and bacon bits. “The bourbon’s rich caramel and vanilla notes complement the sweetness of the maple syrup, while its subtle smokiness enhances the savory bacon, creating a delicious balance of sweet, salty, and smoky flavors,” McCoy says.

And at the Nashville, Tennessee location people love Nelson Brothers Reserve bourbon with the Rocky Road doughnut, covered with chocolate frosting, nuts, and a marmalade drizzle. “It pairs great due to its complementary flavors and the contrasting textures of the sweet, nutty, and creamy elements,” McCoy says.

Meanwhile, at Batch, you can order your cream-filled doughnut with a whisky pipette. “It allows the customer to squeeze it into the filling or even their mouth if they want,” Spece explains.

When selecting which whiskies to feature, not surprisingly, it comes down to the flavor, with the goal to appeal to as many people as possible, from whisky enthusiasts to those who think they don’t like the spirit. “Sometimes it will be a no-brainer, such as when we first tried the 103 Proof Brown Sugar bourbon from Heritage Distilling, which makes a great icing,” Spece says.

Both Spece and McCoy say patrons often arrive skeptical of the concept, but once they experience the unexpected harmony of flavors, they’re all in. “We’ve heard countless times how guests thought it sounded strange, only to gush about how much they loved it once they tried it,” Spece says.

One of the most shocking pairings at Batch was at a recent scotch flight event. They paired a smoky Islay single malt with a honey-almond goat cheese doughnut. The first uncertain bites and sips led to rave reviews from attendees.

The Do’s of Doughnut Pairing

Given the variety of doughnuts and whisky available, you could potentially pair anything. But if you’re afraid your choices will leave a bad taste in your mouth, try these expert-recommended duos.

Bourbon with Maple Bar
A buttery maple doughnut enhances the caramel and vanilla notes of bourbon, leading to a sweet harmony. For less of a sugar rush, choose a high-rye bourbon.

Rye with Cinnamon Sugar
The warm spices in a cinnamon doughnut are the perfect match for rye’s inherent baking spice flavors. And its fruity or herbal undertones keep things balanced, says Kylee McCoy, Donut Distillery marketing director.

Irish with Custard
Whether it’s a basic custard-filled doughnut or a Boston cream, the confection’s rich, buttery center highlights the vanilla and honey notes often found in Irish whiskey.

Scotch with Chocolate
“A chocolate doughnut— with its richness and slight bitterness— can complement a range of scotch whiskies, especially those with peaty or smoky notes, adding depth,” McCoy says.

Japanese with Glazed

Keep things simple so you don’t overwhelm the delicate balance of the whisky, suggests Christian Spece, co-owner of Batch.