Bar Cham

Wow. Simply wow. I could not be more serious when I say this drink almost made me cry when it was presented. As a native Oregonian, pinecones are a part of life. The aroma that overtook me once it was lit transported me back home, even 5,200 miles away. Sat on the opposite side of the world, surrounded by strangers, in a place where I don't speak the language, I was flooded with memories of my childhood. I was able to step back and take in how cool and lucky I was to be at this bar in this moment.

I'm not sure how you set up a drink any better than that—an appetizer of happy memories... incredible.

To now speak on the drink and give you context as to why there is a burning pinecone next to my drink, Damsoul is a Korean rice spirit flavored with pine needles. And dammit did it taste like pine! It tasted like a camping trip when I was 10, which yes, tasted really fucking good.

The brandy, whisky, and lemon give the drink extra profile to really round it out. A slight sweetness for balance so it doesn't completely taste like you bit into tree bark.

Genuinely an outstanding-tasting drink, even if you don't have the affinity for pinecones that someone from the great state of Oregon does. For me—a masterpiece.

This drink was super fun. Each extract gave off a unique smell, and when you took a sip from that area, it drastically changed the flavor of the cocktail.

Hwayo—a 41% ABV rice spirit/soju—being the only alcohol in the cocktail made for a very light drink. Essentially a soju sour (awesome) that takes you on a journey of scents and subtle flavors.

I read Peanut Butter-Washed Cachaça and thought I stumbled into heaven. Cachaça is one of my favorite spirits, and this was the first time I've seen it infused. And for the flavor to be peanut butter, sign me up!

Clearly a drink with Caipirinha DNA, built in a way that pushes forward strong citrus and nutty notes. The name of the drink sells it perfectly well. If I was sad... well, I wouldn't be when drinking this.