Holy Smokes No.1

Difford’s Guide
Discerning Drinkers (41 ratings)
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    Holy Smokes No.1

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Holy Smokes No.1 image

Photographed in an UB Nick And Nora 1920

Ingredients:
1 1⁄2 oz Bourbon whiskey
1⁄2 oz Light vermouth amaro (e.g. Cardamaro)
1⁄2 oz Bénédictine D.O.M. liqueur
1⁄6 oz Torabhaig Peated Single Malt Whisky
4 drop Chocolate bitters
× 1 1 serving
Read about cocktail measures and measuring

How to make:

  1. Select and pre-chill a Nick & Nora glass.
  2. Prepare garnish of orange zest twist.
  3. STIR all ingredients with ice.
  4. FINE STRAIN into chilled glass.
  5. EXPRESS flamed orange zest twist over cocktail, then use as garnish.

Allergens:

Recipe contains the following allergens:

Strength & taste guide:

No alcohol
Medium
Boozy
Strength 8/10
Sweet
Medium
Dry/sour
Sweet to sour 6/10
More cocktails with similar strength and taste profile
Cocktail of the day:

28th May 2025 is National Brisket Day

Review:

Bourbon-laced and spirit-forward but mellowed by bittersweet amaro and herbal liqueur with a hint of Islay smokiness.

View readers' comments

History:

Adapted from a recipe created by Whistle Pig brand ambassador Tony Devencenz in USA.

Nutrition:

One serving of Holy Smokes No.1 contains 190 calories

Alcohol content:

  • 1.7 standard drinks
  • 30.56% alc./vol. (30.56° proof)
  • 24.5 grams of pure alcohol

Difford’s Guide remains free-to-use thanks to the support of the brands in green above. Values stated for alcohol and calorie content, and number of drinks an ingredient makes should be considered approximate.

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Jochum Elsinga’s Avatar Jochum Elsinga
28th May at 20:14
I didn't have Cardamaro so switched that for 10ml sweet vermouth + 5ml Amaro Averna. Probably not the same but holy smokes it tasted incredibly good!
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John CARR’s Avatar John CARR
27th May at 14:26
This was a bit too sweet for me and ended up bumping up tho bourbon, scotch and bitters by a notch or two or each. Admittedly I had the inferior 40% abv Woodford reserve that they are selling here now - 52.5 ml, Laphraoig 7.5 and 6 drops Bob’s finest.
Very enjoyable, rich and tangy with decided tobacco notes. Not on the front list at this point but might well nuzzle its way first in time!
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John CARR’s Avatar John CARR
27th May at 14:29
Was looking for something with Cardamaro and happened on it exactly on the Diffords Day!
1
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Andy Parnell-Hopkinson’s Avatar Andy Parnell-Hopkinson
8th May 2022 at 18:42
Like a funky Vieux Carre. Nice!
2
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