What does SO mean? Are those someone's initials?

Significant Other.

Wow, I rather like this idea of a bourbon tasting party and think I shall steal it.

For some reason I always feel like gougeres or maybe some croquettes would be a good accompaniments to bourbon. Maybe a few different types of naan pizzas - my fav is caramelized onion, goat cheese and basil. I think you would want to stick with things to soak up that booze.

I think bourbon and I think southern food... Ham biscuits, pimento cheese (which you could put on some GF crackers or something), maybe some pulled pork/corn bread/collards/baked beans?

I agree, go southern. I tend to think of things that are heady and smokey.

Try this great www-site for food pairings...

http://www.foodpairing.be/FoodPairable.aspx?f=American+bourbon+whiskey

im with jen_wen, something to soak up the booze sounds most ideal. gourgeres are perfect, homemade pizzas can be made GF, the ever classy pigs in a blanket for non veg, gingered apple slaw (on at epicurious.com) on rosemary crackers, a warm cheesy dip dollaped on a roasted potato "chip." possibilities are endless!! but def lots of carbs and cheese ;)

Bourbon and Coke Whoopie Pies! http://astoolatthecounter.wordpress.com/2011/10/08/saturday-selections-bourbon-and-coke-whoopie-pies/

Banana pudding. Peach cobbler. (I put bourbon in both of these things, so I think it might "go.") Oh, neither veggie nor GF, but FRIED CHICKEN. Also I second PP on ham biscuits, a brilliant and creative canape idea!

I think something seasonal would be good, like flat bread with butternut squash, cheese, and herbs.
Check out this pudding with bourbon:
http://acozykitchen.com/bourbon-butterscotch-pudding/

You should also be aware that many bourbons are not gluten-free. If your friend is staying off gluten for health reasons, you may want to consult this list or other celiac websites to find what your friend can have:
http://www.celiac.com/articles/222/1/Gluten-Free-Alcoholic-Beverages/Page1.html

i agree with the seasonal suggestions - i know bourbon is definitely southern (i'm talking to you, mint juleps!), but i personally associate bourbons with winter and cozy nights by the fire, so i would lean toward winter comfort foods like pizzas with butternut squash, cheeses and gougers like suggested above.

I agree with the Southern food ideas... but if you don't mind me asking, what kinds of bourbon are you sampling? :-) I love bourbon and preferred sweet, until I tried Corner Creek... it's now my favorite. Excellent neat, but not too heavy if you drink it with iced tea.

I agree with the Southern theme. Some smoky BBQ appetizers could be good with bourbon. I could see a nice sharp cheddar pairing nicely with bourbon if you wanted to do a small cheese plate too... Mmm...I want to be invited! :)

I'd go with a charcuterie plate. Smokey and cured meats are what I like with my bourbon. Lardo is now one of my favorite things to eat with bourbon. Some sharp cheddar is a really good suggestion. I feel like other salty cheeses would go well.

I went to a bourbon pairing dinner recently and they did pulled pork spring rolls with a cherry sauce, toffee pudding for dessert and beef tenderloin with a vanilla bean bourbon sauce. Loved those flavors! You could do mini pulled pork sliders with some Slaw, sweet potato fries. Since its fall you could do mini bourbon pumpkin hand pies. Mac and cheese croquettes or fritters would be awesome too

@Flora Vitae: thanks for the reminder. can't believe i almost forgot that!

@twnt1andcounting: not sure yet. i prefer Basil Hayden's, Maker's 46, and Conecuh Ridge (alas, that one's not available in my state yet). i've also been looking for an excuse to try Pappy Van Winkle and Four Roses, so they may show up.

many thanks for the suggestions, all! i was leaning to cheese plates and veg Southern food (i'm the veg, and my family is from AL), but i dig the idea of winter-ish pizza and squashes, too.

er, guess i should've clarified: i'm the OP. oops!