Dining Dojo Drinks: Kentucky Tea!

Recently, Suntory released another product in the Tory's line of whiskey.  Tory's is considered an economical line of products in terms of price when compared to the other Suntory products.  Tory's recently became popular with drinkers of whiskey highballs.  For the last few years, highball styled drinks have becoming popular amongst the Japanese public.  Tory's has released highball drinks in cans for easy convenience.  Also, Tory's released a line of flavored whiskeys ranging from honey to sweet tea versions.  These versions should not be considered  a part of the whiskey line.  Tory's whiskey comes in at 40% ABV, while, the honey and sweet tea products are 20% ABV.  Also, they are classified as liqueurs.

When I bought the Tory's Sweet Tea for the first time, I decided to have taste the drink by itself on the rocks with a little water.  When tasting alcohols for the first time, it is wise to taste them on the rocks (not too much ice) and some water.  The water will allow the drink to expand and release more its flavor.  The flavor profile of this drink is interesting.  The essence of the tea comes out.  Also, you will notice the distinctive Tory's whiskey smell.  Tory's has a strong alcohol burn when nosing it.  The Tory's Sweet Tea is sweet.  I believe this helps mask the strong Tory's whiskey flavor and brings out the tea a little more.

On the side of the bottle, Tory's lists different ways in which you can enjoy the product such as having it on the rocks, with hot water, or in a highball.  After trying the product on its own, I decided to make a cocktail using it.  I wanted to combine the Tory's Sweet Tea with a bourbon whiskey in order to bring out the sweetness of the product with a bourbon that could compliment the drink without overpowering it.  I decided to use Maker's Mark bourbon whiskey as the base in the cocktail.  Maker's Mark has balanced sweet note in the drink.

Also, I decided to use lemon juice in the drink to bring out the flavors more in the drink by bringing a sour note to the drink.  Plus, lemon is a great compliment to tea. Additionally when I was deciding on the garnish to this cocktail, I decided to use a lemon twist to bring more lemon flavor to the drink.  When initially drinking the cocktail, the first flavor that will hit your nose will be the lemon oils that were expressed by the lemon twist.

This cocktail combines the great flavors of tea, lemon, and bourbon in one drink.  If you are looking for a new bourbon cocktail that is a little sweet and tart with a hint of tea, this drink is for you.

Kampai!!

Kentucky Tea

2 oz. of Maker's Mark Bourbon Whiskey
1 oz. of Suntory Tory's Sweet Tea
1/2 oz. of lemon juice
Lemon twist for garnish

1.  Combine the Sweet Tea, Maker's Mark, and lemon juice to a shaker tin.
2.  Add ice to the shaker and shake the drink.
3.  Strain into a cocktail glass.
4.  Garnish with a lemon twist.