Talk about Alcohol (That thing every drinker definitely has)

Hello, this is Nowoto, and with the full-blown summer heat arriving again this year, it's become essential for me to cool down by inhaling the air from the air conditioner as if I were drinking it.

Well, let's start with some music talk; I've finished a song.
However, it won't be posted for a while.

The reason is that this time, I've done my first-ever "illustration commission" for Nowoto.
It's expected to be finished this month, and from there, I'll make the video, do this and that, and then it'll be ready for the big reveal.

I think the song itself sounds like me, or rather, like "Nowoto."
I can't wait for it to be finished.

That's all.
So, Now I write about SAKE below(・ω・)🥃

This time, the theme is of course "alcohol," but I'm introducing a certain "item."
I briefly mentioned it in a previous blog post:

If you're not familiar with smoked whiskey
, you might be thinking, "What on earth is that?" or "You smoke alcohol??"

Of course, there are already authentic smoked alcoholic beverages sold on the market, but this is an item that allows you to add the scent of wood smoke to your own drinks.

You can do it with any alcohol that pairs well with a smoky aroma.
But in my case, my recommendation is definitely whiskey, and the non-sweet kind at that.

Here it is.

When you open it, this is what's inside.

This is something called a glass top smoker.

When you place this over a glass filled with whiskey and light the wood chips, the smoke cascades down and fills the glass.
Then, after waiting a little while and opening it, you have instant smoked whiskey.

Of course, if you want to do it in a super primitive way, you can just shape some aluminum foil over the glass, put the chips on top, and smoke it that way.

But using proper gear like this saves time and makes preparation and cleanup easy. More than anything, it gives you that "I'm doing something cool" feeling, which boosts your motivation—those little details are surprisingly important.

Now, here is a quick guide on how to use it.

First, open the lid.

There is a depression in the mesh on the left, and that is where you put the wood chips.

You can use any wood chips you like.
They also sell sets that include the device and several types of wood chips, so if you're unsure, just buy one of those.

For this time, I'll use the included "Apple" chips.

It's a wood that literally fills the air with the scent of apples and a smoky aroma, which I personally like.

Put one or two pinches (or "1 to 2 teaspoons" if you prefer precise measurements) into the depression.

Then, just pop this onto the glass.

And for the whiskey we're smoking today, let's go with the familiar Ballantine's Finest.

I've written about Ballantine's on my blog a few times, but the Finest is also a Scotch whisky I've been into lately, with its orthodox, pleasant mouthfeel and a faint bitter aroma that becomes addictive. I'm having this on the rocks.

When covering it, make sure to place it firmly in the center so that no smoke leaks out from the sides.

Then, using a gas torch, set it ablaze toward the indentation where you put the chips.

You might think, 'Hey, is this okay?' but it's perfectly fine.
The ice and glass won't melt, and as long as you don't aim the fire at the sides, it won't burn to a fire-hazard level.

The trick is to 'keep some distance and aim the fire at a single point'.
Conversely, if you move the focus of the fire around trying to hit the chips evenly, sparks will fly everywhere. If you do this on a mat or carpet, it might scorch it and leave a hole, so be careful about that. Or rather, regardless of how you do it, please be very careful with handling fire and its aftermath.

If you don't have a gas torch, a long-reach lighter is fine, but it will take longer for the smoke to circulate without a torch.

Then, after applying fire for about 10 to 15 seconds, or 20 seconds for some people, put the lid on and wait for a while.

As you can see, the glass is filled with smoke.

This is the 'smoked flavor' produced when the chips were scorched by the fire.
The longer you wait, the more thoroughly the smoky aroma will transfer to the drink.

As for the waiting time, well, it depends on the item and the amount, but let's wait about '3 to 5 minutes,' the same level as a cup of instant noodles.

After that much time passes, the smoke inside the glass will dissipate and decrease, and you'll be able to see the contents. Once that happens, it's ready. Take off the lid and enjoy.

The way the smoke wafts out looks delicious, doesn't it? Wow, it's divine.

Now, for my impressions after drinking it: it's a parade of 'smoky aroma' that is (in a good way) ridiculous. The marriage of apple and smoke explodes in your mouth and nose.

Chasing that, you get the mellow and rich sensation of the Finest slowly traveling down your throat, mixed with the smoke for an even smokier, smoother bitter aftertaste and aroma. It's irresistible.

Being able to slowly savor this kind of drink without anyone bothering you is the privilege of being a 'loner'.

Of course, since it's "smoked," it's best to use a whisky that already has a strong flavor profile.
Personally, I think Scotch, Irish, or (not the sweet kind of) single malt would be good.

You can also enjoy it as a "smoked highball" instead of on the rocks.

By the way, while I used whisky this time, you can also apply this to "snacks" instead of alcohol.

For example, if you put "mixed nuts," "potato chips," "baby cheese," or "Jagariko" in a glass and smoke them, you'll end up with a smoky snack.
That's just irresistible; if you have smoked nuts, you can gulp down drinks like gin or Zubrowka (mixed), so I highly recommend it.

Also, if you have a "torch" rather than a smoker, you can sear various ingredients.

Bacon, cheese, and yakitori are obvious choices, but you can also buy sushi or sashimi and sear them to eat.
If you sear and eat yellowtail, fin, or salmon, it's just...

So, that's it for the accessories I introduced to help you enjoy your drinks even more.

The smoker I have costs about 3,000 yen.
There are more high-tech ones out there, but naturally, those come with a higher price tag.

But if you're just enjoying it by yourself, this is plenty; I've been using it for quite a while now and it hasn't worn out at all.

If you don't have one, you should definitely buy one.
I'll just call it "the first step to adulthood."

. o w a