SMOKY FLAVORS have long suffused spirits, from peated Scotch to the deep-roasted tones in some mezcals. Consider the category-defying locavore spirit Late Embers Smoked Sunchokes + Honey, by Matchbook Distilling in Greenport, N.Y. Loosely inspired by mezcal, Late Embers starts with sunchokes instead of agave piñas. After fermenting and distilling, the resulting clear spirit has subtle earthiness and an aroma that suggests a smoldering bonfire. In addition to Late Embers, which debuted in 2021, Matchbook’s portfolio includes the 2023 launch Bad Saint, a single-malt whiskey smoked with incense-like palo santo.

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Persons: Scotch, mezcal, sunchokes Locations: Greenport, palo santo