On the day itself, the temptation might be to reach for the usual bottle of wine or the latest bottle of craft beer to go with your turkey but why not try something a little more suited to standing side by side with those big flavours?
To celebrate the start of the Holiday Season, we've taken a look at five of the best Scotch whiskies to complement your feast on Thanksgiving Day.
The dram before the storm...
(Region: Speyside, Style: Light and fruity, Price: approx. $40)
Kick the celebrations off in style with this lighter style Scotch that's perfect as a pre-dinner drink or to reward for all the hard work you've put into the cooking.
Matured in Bourbon casks, this charming little Speyside malt was underrated until recently when it began to finally get the recognition it deserves with Jim Murray describing it as a "possible contender for Scotch of the Year" in his 2014 whisky bible.
Sweet, with refreshing citrus notes, the finish is long lasting and filled with toffee and nuts.
The starter for ten...
(Region: Speyside, Style: Medium bodied and fruity, Price: approx. $55)
To start your meal you'll want something a little more full-bodied and with a slightly more savoury flavour to balance out that excellent sweetness and this bottling from Macallan will handle itself alongside any starter you care to mention and get you well on your way to looking forward to the main event.
Made using a mixture of bourbon and ex-sherry casks, the Double Cask is a great mix of fruits, toffee and spice.
The main event...
(Region: Highlands/Islands, Style: Rich and fruity, Price: approx. $130)
The newest addition to Arran's core range is the perfect whisky for the turkey carving, rich and fruity, it won't be overwhelmed by the stuffing and will complement the cranberry sauce.
A balanced mix of finest aged ex-Sherry and ex-Bourbon casks, Arran's oldest core expression is a cracker, featuring notes of orange, toffee and dark chocolate, its rich and complex character will definitely stand up alongside all of the other exciting flavours you'll be enjoying with the main course.
The dessert dram...
(Region: Speyside, Style: All-rounder, Price: approx. $90)
You'll need something good to sit alongside your pecan pie and this punchy little Speysider is a great all rounder that will happily sit side-by-side with any dessert.
Don't be put off by its strong proof, the Benromach is a very rewarding dram and its mix of citrus and dark fruits and just a hint of smoke make its depth something you'll want to return to again and again.
Add a couple of drops of water and watch the flavours really explode.
The perfect finish to the evening...
(Region: Islay, Style: Rich and smokey, Price: approx. $72)
Head out to the fire pit or sit by the fireplace for this one, Ron Swanson's favourite dram is the ultimate palate cleanser and the perfect way to cap off a great evening.
The preferred whisky for peat fans, even if you don't normally enjoy the smokey flavours of Islay whiskies, the Lagavulin is so rich and balanced that it is worth trying at least once.
The huge peaty flavours that greet you on the nose soon give way to a finish that is subtle sweetness and a little bit of sea salt.
