53.439 Saline smoky samphire

Description

Like a peated Old Fashioned in a glass. Imagine settling down on the beach with some friends after a long day of fishing out in the bay, fresh whole fish wrapped in foil cooking over the open fire some metres away. Plenty of citrus and salt but also sweeter ginger syrup and smoky peanut brittle wafting in from over the hills. If you’re planning a trip to your favourite fishing hole this summer, you might want to pack this dram for the evenings when it gets a bit cooler.

We were hit by the assertive, saline, smoky scent of buttered samphire, sea purslane and salted smoked limes next to a strong whiff of peat fire-grilled citrus and herb red snappers. On the palate we created a new cocktail and named it “smoky sour diesel” with ingredients of fresh lemon juice, ginger syrup, angostura bitters and, of course, smoky whisky. Unbelievably moreish! Following the addition of a few drops of water, we found smoked ham-wrapped melon balls, barbecued pineapple rings and leeks with an oyster emulsion. To taste, peppercorn sauce over a chargrilled steak and in the finish sweet and smoky peanut brittle prepared with a teaspoon of adobo sauce.