Smoke & Peel

Old Fashioned · Japanese Whisky

Golden Hour

Japanese whisky, demerara, orange and Peychaud's bitters and a grapefruit twist. Light, bright and precise.

ABV
32%
Calories, est.
170
In the glass
2 ⅞ oz
Serve
Rocks, large cube
Make it your own Jump to the recipe

For adults 21 and over. Please drink responsibly.

How it tastes

Honeyed and floral, with citrus peel and a little anise from the Peychaud's. The grapefruit adds a gentle, pleasant bitterness.

Bright and fruity, with caramel sweetness on the finish. Firm at about 32% ABV once diluted. Sweetened with rich demerara syrup.

Sweet
Spice
Smoke
Fruit
Bitter
Oak

Why it works

Japanese whisky tends to be delicate, so heavy sugar or dark bitters would bury it. A small amount of demerara, two dashes of orange bitters and one of Peychaud's keep the structure without overpowering the whisky. Grapefruit oil adds a lift that lemon or orange cannot.

Tips

  • Express the grapefruit peel well. It carries more oil than orange or lemon.
  • Stir for about 30 seconds so the whisky's subtle flavors are not diluted away.
  • Use a large, clear cube if you can. It melts slowly and keeps the drink crisp.

The recipe

Golden Hour Old Fashioned

Makes 1 drink. Precise and delicate. Honey, citrus peel and light oak, built for balance.

Ingredients

Ingredients for one Golden Hour Old Fashioned
2 oz60 mlJapanese Whisky86 proof
¼ oz7 mlRich demerara syrup2 parts demerara sugar to 1 part water
2 dashesOrange bitters
1 dashPeychaud's bitters
1 stripGrapefruit peelAbout 2 inches, little pith
1Large ice cube

Bottles to try

$Suntory Toki
$$Mars Iwai 45
$$$Nikka From the Barrel · Hibiki Japanese Harmony

$ under $40 · $$ $40–70 · $$$ $70+ · typical 750 ml price

Method

  1. Add the rich demerara syrup and bitters to a mixing glass.
  2. Pour in the whiskey. Fill the mixing glass with ice and stir for 30 seconds, until the outside is cold to the touch.
  3. Add one large cube to the rocks glass and strain the drink over it.
  4. Express the grapefruit peel over the drink, skin side down. Rub it around the rim and drop it in.

Batch for 8

Making it for a crowd? Mix ahead, chill, and pour.

Ingredients

Ingredients for eight Golden Hour Old Fashioned drinks
16 oz475 ml · 2 cupsJapanese Whisky86 proof
2 oz60 mlRich demerara syrup2 parts demerara sugar to 1 part water
16 dashes≈ 2 ½ tspOrange bitters
8 dashes≈ 1 ¼ tspPeychaud's bitters
4 oz120 mlCold waterStands in for stirring dilution
8 stripsGrapefruit peelAbout 2 inches, little pith
8Large ice cubes

Method

  1. In a pitcher or bottle, combine the whiskey, rich demerara syrup and bitters.
  2. Add 4 oz of cold water. This replaces the dilution you'd get from stirring.
  3. Chill in the fridge for at least 2 hours, or in the freezer for 1 hour.
  4. Pour 2 ⅞ oz per glass over one large cube.
  5. Express the grapefruit peel over each drink, skin side down. Rub it around the rim and drop it in.

Make it your own

  • Use honey syrup in place of demerara for a more floral drink.
  • Try an orange peel instead of grapefruit for a rounder finish.
  • Add a dash of Angostura for extra spice.

Change anything, see it in the glass.

Open this recipe in the builder to swap the whiskey, sweetener, bitters, ice or smoke and watch the ABV and flavor profile move.

Open in the builder

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