Did you know Belgian whisky takes center stage in a Swedish cooking adventure?

Whisky is wonderfully versatile. Enjoy it neat, mix it into a cocktail, or even use it in your cooking. But what happens when you bring together Belgian whisky, Swedish wilderness and open-fire cooking? The result is an intriguing combination you might not expect. Filliers makes a memorable appearance in njam!’s programme De Open Vuur Roadtrip naar Zweden (The Open-Fire Road Trip to Sweden), with whisky from the Belgian distillery joining the culinary adventure. But what does whisky have to do with cooking in the Swedish wilderness?

Whisky and food have made a fascinating pairing for years. After all, there are countless whisky tastings and pairing ideas to explore. Now, Filliers is giving us a wonderful way to see how food and the ‘water of life’ go together, with a starring role in De Open Vuur Roadtrip naar Zweden on Belgian cooking channel njam!.

Based in Deinze, Belgian distillery Filliers has a history spanning six generations. Over the years, it has produced plenty of genever, as well as whisky and other spirits. Its collaboration on De Open Vuur Roadtrip naar Zweden gives Belgian whisky a unique platform.

The programme is all about cooking outdoors, with open fires and the Swedish landscape taking centre stage. This is no traditional restaurant kitchen: it’s a setting where fire, ingredients and adventure come together. And the creators believe a good glass of whisky belongs there, too.

Cooking over an open fire brings out roasted, caramelised flavours in ingredients. Think meat sizzling over the flames or vegetables slowly cooking among hot coals. These dishes take on hints of wood and smoke—flavours that complement whisky beautifully, and vice versa. A whisky with notes of wood, spice or caramel can make for a surprising and delicious match.

Of course, that doesn’t mean every whisky automatically goes with every dish. The right pairing depends on the flavours on the plate as well as those in the glass. In De Open Vuur Roadtrip naar Zweden, viewers will discover several drinks from Filliers, including whiskies from the Belgian distillery’s range.

For whisky fans, it’s fascinating to see Belgian whisky showcased beyond familiar settings. Scotland may be known around the world as a whisky nation, but Belgium has plenty to offer, too. Filliers is a fine example, with its single malt and single grain whiskies.

The Swedish adventure isn’t Filliers’ only collaboration with njam!. According to the announced schedule, the Belgian distillery will also appear twice in Bon Appétit with Jeroen Meus in December: in episode 2 and in the special festive episode.

Filliers whisky will also feature in one of these appearances. Exactly what role it will play remains to be seen, but it’s certainly something for Belgian whisky fans to look forward to.

Find out more about the collaboration on the Filliers Distillery website.