The Smoked Shogun: A Japanese-Inspired Cocktail Journey in Dublin

Yamamori North City at the Irish Cocktail Competition

✨ We’re proud to share that Team Yamamori North City was recently nominated in the Cocktail Competition by the Restaurant Association of Ireland, competing with some of Dublin’s finest bartenders on April 29th.

Our talented Beverage Manager, Tatiana, represented us, who presented a unique creation — a cocktail deeply inspired by Japanese culture and music: “The Smoked Shogun.”

Woman from Tokyo

Inspired by “Woman from Tokyo” by Deep Purple, Tatiana set out to create a cocktail that evokes the same energy — beautiful, powerful, and layered with emotion.

At its heart is Yamazaki Whisky, representing the mastery of Japanese distillation. It’s complemented by shōchū for its clean profile, plum sake for sweetness, yuzu juice for brightness, violet syrup for floral notes, and a dash of cardamom bitters to add spice and depth.

Served in a traditional sake cup and presented inside a mirror box, the drink invites reflection — both literally and metaphorically. It’s finished with cherry wood smoke, echoing the fleeting beauty of sakura and the haunting notes of the song that inspired it.

Well done, Tatiana — and thank you for bringing a piece of Japan to the Dublin cocktail scene in such an unforgettable way. Fingers crossed for a spot in the finals!