Spirits Of Japan

August 28th, 2025, 6:00PM
The Establishment. 28 Broad Street, Charleston.

Spirits of Japan

Summer Spirits Series

Japan is secretly one of the most diverse distillers of whiskies in the world, from traditional to contemporary innovations and beyond. 

Unlike the previous two Summer Spirits Series dinners, this 6-course tasting dinner will feature neat pours of each spirit to experience the extraordinary complexity, with craft cocktails to greet and send off your evening. Executive Chef Elliott Howells will offer a taste of the rich history that defines Japanese culture for each course pairing. 

MENU

1st course
2 piece nigiri white fish (snapper, hamachi)
Fruit palate cleanse
Chiran Tea Chu Honkaku Shochu

2nd course
Salmon tartare, tempura nori, light ponzu
Colorful Honkaku Shochu

3rd course
Seared raw tuna, cereal milk ice cream
Mugi Hokku Shochu

Mezzo
Black rice congi, crispy chicken oyster
Masako Honkaku Shochu

4th course
Pork
Yokka Koji Awamori

5th course
Duck crepinette, salted radish, pickled cherry
Takamine Whiskey

6th course
Chocolate tort, smoked almond, 
Fuji Single Grain Japanese Whiskey

About the Summer Spirits Series

Join The Establishment for the Summer Spirit Series—three exclusive tasting events exploring global spirits and cuisine, no passport required. Each event features a unique theme, spotlighting the meticulous craftsmanship of artisanal, family-owned distilleries and authentic culinary traditions: The Spirits of Mexico, Not Your Mother’s Gin, and Spirits of Japan.

During each event, courses will be presented with a signature cocktail that showcases the spirit’s complexity and a sidecar served neat, for a full tasting experience. Executive Chef Elliott Howells will craft a 6-course tasting menu designed to elevate and complement the spirit’s profile. 

Guests will be guided through the tasting by spirits experts, sharing the story behind each spirit–its origin, distillation process, unique anecdotes, and tasting notes. 

“The Summer Spirit Series is our favorite event to host all year,” says Bar Manager Ryan Wise. “Our team spends months collaborating with partners to hand-select rare, distinctive spirits you won’t find on a typical menu.”

Executive Chef Elliott Howells adds, “This event series is a culinary playground for us. We get to push boundaries—combining seasonal, local ingredients with bold global flavors that echo the unique tasting notes of each spirit.”

Tickets for each Summer Spirits Series event are $150 per guest (all-inclusive of food, beverages, taxes and gratuity). Attend all three events and receive a $50 gift card to The Establishment. Seating is limited for an intimate and refined evening of spirits and culinary discovery.