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Holy Smokes No.1

Difford’s Guide
Discerning Drinkers (55)
Holy Smokes No.1 image
Measurements in:
Serves:
1
Ingredients
1 1/2 fl oz Bourbon whiskey
1/2 fl oz Light vermouth amaro (e.g. Cardamaro)
1/2 fl oz Bénédictine D.O.M. liqueur
1/6 fl oz Peated single malt whisky
4 drop Chocolate bitters

Read about cocktail measures and measuring

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How to make

Glass

Photographed in an UB Nick And Nora 1920

Prepare

  1. Select and pre-chill a NICK & NORA GLASS.
  2. Prepare garnish of orange zest twist.

Method

  1. STIR all ingredients with ice.
  2. FINE STRAIN into chilled glass.

Garnish

  1. EXPRESS flamed orange zest twist over cocktail, then use as garnish.

Flavour Profile

No alcohol
Medium
Boozy
Sweet
Medium
Dry/sour
More cocktails with similar strength and taste profile

Health & Nutrition

Nutrition:

One serving of Holy Smokes No.1 contains 190 calories

Alcohol content:

  • 1.7 standard drinks
  • 30.42% alc./vol. (60.84° proof)
  • 24.4 grams of pure alcohol

Allergens:

Recipe contains the following allergens:

Values stated for alcohol and calorie content, and number of drinks an ingredient makes should be considered approximate.

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History

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

Review

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

Cocktail of the day:

28th May 2026 is National Brisket Day

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Difford’s Shop logo
$3.73 per cocktail*

Makes a minimum of 8 cocktails.
Shipping and applicable tax calculated at checkout.


Orders are processed by a licensed Fulproof retailer. The buy now button is added simply for convenience.

Checkout

* May not include all ingredients. Price per cocktail is an estimate based on cost of one cocktail with ingredients shown above and does not include shipping.

Visit Difford’s Shop USA

Gallery

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Comments & Discussion

Robert Spain
Sweet, strong, complex.
score: 1
Tim Cull
The Cardamaro is brilliant in this one. I wouldn’t recommend trying to substitute anything else.
score: 0
Simon Sedgley Premium Member
Yes, there isn't really a substitute for Cardamaro here. Anything else would make it 'heavy'. Cocchi Vermouth Amaro is sometimes suggested as an alternative to Cardamaro but we demur. With this one, the Cardamaro gives the cocktail ballet slippers.
score: 0
Mike Premium Member
This has hints of a Left Hand. The choice of bourbon can steer this is a lot of different directions. I was working on a bottle of Willett Special Reserve so I used that. It’s pretty soft and the final result was as well. Left me wondering how different a high rye bourbon like Woodford or OGD might change the result.

Bottom line: The spec calls for Benedictine, so I’m in.

Willett Special Reserve, Caol Ila, Ango Cocoa Bitters.
score: 1
Simon Sedgley Premium Member
Any cocktail with the queen of vermouth amari, Cardamaro, present...well, we're there. And this one doesn't disappoint, with all of the courtiers bowing and curtsying to the supreme lady elegantly.
score: 2
John CARR Premium Member
Revisiting with a punchier whiskey (makers 46) and it did the trick. Superb and superbly balanced. Love how the tobacco notes in the Cardamaro are echoed by the scotch and flamed twist. I went with talisker as didn’t feel like being that holy smoked this evening.
score: 1
Jochum Elsinga
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!
score: 4
John CARR Premium Member
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!
score: 1
John CARR Premium Member
Was looking for something with Cardamaro and happened on it exactly on the Diffords Day!
score: 1

View 8 comments and discussion

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Difford’s Shop logo
$3.73 per cocktail*

Makes a minimum of 8 cocktails.
Shipping and applicable tax calculated at checkout.


Orders are processed by a licensed Fulproof retailer. The buy now button is added simply for convenience.

Checkout

* May not include all ingredients. Price per cocktail is an estimate based on cost of one cocktail with ingredients shown above and does not include shipping.

Visit Difford’s Shop USA

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