Two James Johnny Smoking Gun Whiskey. So, Two James from Detroit produces one of my absolute FAVORITE desert-island-worthy rums (Doctor Bird), so I was super excited to pick up another one of their products.

This is essentially a flavored whiskey, created as a fun and casual table whiskey specifically to complement Asian cuisine (which often is super savory/umami and flavorful). The typical choice of pairing for Asian cuisine is usually a light beer or sake/soju (equally light in flavor in my opinion) to let the flavors of the dishes take center stage, and I mean, who wants to drink heavy whisk(e)y with a bowl of Japanese ramen, sushi, Chinese Hot Pot, or Korean BBQ?

Smelling this, I immediately sense aromas of rice (specifically fragrant sticky rice) and salty savory broth. It is unlike anything else I’ve tried, full of rich umami flavors with no perceivable sweetness. It’s made with a 70% corn, 30% rye mashbill that’s infused with…tea leaves, including the distinctive smoky Lapsang Souchong (a black tea that’s smoke-dried over pinewood fire). The spirit is designed to pair with the umami-rich Japanese cuisine full of flavorful pork/fish broths, so it’s easy-to-drink, light in mouthfeel, and heavy with the right selection of rich savory flavors. Kanpai!