Smoky Scotch is an Ideal Pairing for Game Meat

Game meats have intense flavors—which is like saying Colorado is a good place to ski. The lesser-known truth is that smoky Scotch cocktails pair perfectly with game.

“People are scared to mix cocktails with Scotch because it’s so powerful,” says Tyler Mendoza of Oak + Char in Chicago.

That’s the key. We’re talking about extremes here, in both food and drink. The earthy flavors of bison, venison and...