It’s almost Father’s Day, and we all know what dad really wants: Japanese Whisky. When non-whisk(e)y drinkers ask me for gift recommendations for a bourbon or Scotch enthusiast, I almost always recommend Japanese Whisky. It’s similar enough that any whiskey drinker is bound to love it, but unusual enough that they aren’t likely to have many bottles already.
Hatozaki is one of the brands of Japanese Whisky that I have come to know and really love. Their whisky is generally a lighter style, very bright and citrusy. The Hatozaki Small Batch that I used in this cocktail is aged in ex-bourbon, ex-sherry, and new Mizunara oak casks, which gives it a richer flavor with hints of honey, dried fruit, and a bit of smoke. For this cocktail, I wanted to create a dad-worthy recipe that plays off of all those wonderful flavors. And to compliment that subtle smokiness – and add a bit of dramatic flair – I smoked the glass before adding the drink.
Let’s talk briefly about smoking cocktails. There are a lot of ways to do it, and you don’t need fancy equipment. The simplest option is just to burn your substance of choice (wood chips, dried tea, fresh herbs, dried spices, etc.) on a safe surface and overturn your glass on top to capture the smoke. Something like the SmokeTop I use here makes the process a bit easier without breaking the bank. And if you’re really into smoking your food and drinks, you might consider investing in a smoking gun. It makes a great Father’s Day gift!
When you smoke an empty glass before adding your drink, it works much like expressing the oils of a citrus twist in that it changes the flavor of your cocktail by adding aroma to your sip. It also makes for a very dramatic presentation. But you can also smoke a finished cocktail in its glass, under a cloche, or even in a jar prior to pouring.
Smoked Hyogo Manhattan
2 oz. Hatozaki Small Batch
3/4 oz. Cream Sherry (Lustau East India Solera Sherry)
1/4 oz. sweet vermouth (Carpano Antica)
1 dash Angostura bitters
1 dash black lemon bitters (Scrappy’s)
Smoke a rocks glass with your wood of choice. Stir all ingredients with ice until chilled and strain into the prepared glass over one large ice cube.
P.S. I hope you’ve all been enjoying this sponsored content. All of the opinions in these posts (and the recipes, unless otherwise stated) are 100% mine. While the recipes are designed with these specific brands in mind, and I do highly recommend them, they will still work with your favorite vodka/gin/Japanese whisky.