Rob Roy v2

ROB ROY

(RE-VISITED)

Hey everyone. Here's a cocktail I made over five years ago, so now it's time to re-visit this splendid drink. I introduce you to the Rob Roy. I've come a long way since 2012 and if you checked the picture from back then, wow was it ugly :D Also the measures have changed, but just a little bit.

As the IBA official cocktail stands for 4.5cl/2.5cl scotch and sweet vermouth, here is a more oompfier version:

• 6 cl scotch (blend)
• 2 cl sweet vermouth
• 2-3 ds angostura bitters
• maraschino cherry/orange twist/curl/etc...

A long stir with ice, strain into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish. Serve.

I can't even remember what scotch I used back then, but now I used the Johnnie Walker Black label, aged 12yo. The cocktail was spicy, well-balanced, had a strong flavor profile and well...it's a Scottish version of one of my favorites, the Manhattan. So what could go wrong?

The beauty of this drink is that you can easily modify it by using different scotch where as with the Manhattan you only change the bourbon. So you could say this is a more versatile cocktail, but not as sweet as its American cousin.

Rusty Nail

RUSTY NAIL

A cocktail appeared first in the 1930's

Hello everyone! Today's cocktail dates back some decades. The Rusty Nail. This cocktail has one rather "obscure" ingredient in it and as we look at the recipe altogether, it is quite similar to the Godfather/mother.

• 4.5 cl scotch whisky
• 2.5 cl Drambuie
• Lemon twist/spiral garnish

Drambuie is a Scottish liqueur with 40% ABV and flavored with honey and other spices. For me (at least) it has been one of those bottles

1. You might've heard about
2. You need in (that) one classic cocktail
3. Never intend to buy because of reason #2
4. Would collect dust once you've bought it

Luckily a colleague of mine went on a cruise and together we split a 50cl bottle. Now I have my hands on 25cl of this stuff and hell yes I intended to make this cocktail ASAP. So pour both ingredients in a glass filled with ice, stir gently and garnish.

The verdict? Quite easily enjoyable. The stinginess from the blended scotch is well combined with the sweet and honey-ish Drambuie, making a solid balance between both ingredients. Adding that lemon zest/spiral/twist you get that fresh citrusy aroma to it as well. Spices (cinnamon, clove) are apparent too. As a digestive the Rusty Nail would fit like a glove...You just need to buy that Drambuie bottle first :D

Why Whisky Sampling is so damn fun!

WHISKY SAMPLING &

THE BEAUTY OF IT

Glenfarclas 15yo (got a sample in exchange for another!)

Hey everyone! So in the last few days I got myself involved in some whisky sample switching. Holy moley has this been so much fun!! So the whole thing started ~a week ago when I had a discussion at a whisky-based forum. I had recently opened the Macallan Amber (first open) for Easter. Some were also talking about the Glenfarclas 15yo and how its quality wasn't "as good as expected". 

Then, a person recognized the picture wall panels (from my cocktail videos I assume) and asked whether I wanted to have a sample of the before-mentioned scotch. I happen to have about a dozen of sample bottles that fit a nice 3.5 - 4 cl of liquid inside them so of course I complied. I wanted to try out myself the big fuzz of this whisky. For the trade I decided to give one of my own single malts for the person to rate themselves. I wasn't going to tell them what it was so you could say it was a blind tasting for that matter.

A few days later the switch happened (at work). He got my sample, I got some Glenfarclas 15yo as seen above.

#singlemalt #surprisemotherfucker

Without going into too much detail of these single malts, he had some Dalmore 12yo in his glass, which I revealed to him after the review/guessing. I got to admit, he knew his shit; knew the ex-oloroso maturing and 40% ABV (not to mention his review, which was 5/5 altogether :D)

Anyhow, I told him to bring back the empty sample bottle whenever he's done (not that I was in a big hurry I have plenty of these at home still), but for my surprising he filled it up with another mystery scotch!! I actually first thought it was my colleague's doings, but then realized she gave her bottle back ages ago.

So the ball was now thrown back to me! There it is, I want to say it is cask strength. Has to be according to its taste. As I am not a whisky expert per se, I quote "uncertainty is the only certainty there is..." In my sincerest opinion, people should do more of this! What could go possibly wrong? :D

A mystery sample.