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Mad MacPeat

Difford’s Guide
Discerning Drinkers (51)
Mad MacPeat image
Measurements in:
Serves:
1
Ingredients
5⁄6 fl oz Peated single malt whisky
5⁄6 fl oz Cognac (brandy)
5⁄6 fl oz Elderflower liqueur
1⁄24 fl oz La Fée Parisienne absinthe

Read about cocktail measures and measuring

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How to make

Glass

Photographed in a Modern America Rocks

Prepare

  1. Select and pre-chill an OLD-FASHIONED GLASS.
  2. Prepare garnish of skewered red grapes.

Method

  1. STIR all ingredients with ice.
  2. STRAIN into ice-filled glass (preferably over a large cube or chunk of block ice).

Garnish

  1. Garnish with skewered grapes.

Flavour Profile

No alcohol
Medium
Boozy
Sweet
Medium
Dry/sour
More cocktails with similar strength and taste profile

Health & Nutrition

Alcohol content:

  • 1.5 standard drinks
  • 27.47% alc./vol. (54.94° proof)
  • 21 grams of pure alcohol

Values stated for alcohol and calorie content, and number of drinks an ingredient makes should be considered approximate.

History

A March 2023 riff on my 2006 In-Seine cocktail at the suggestion of Lucas Fiammiferi, a fellow Discerning Drinker, in a comment on our In-Seine page.

More cocktails by Simon Difford

Review

Peated whisky sits brilliantly with the floral elderflower notes in this late-night sipper. Absinthe plays an important role, and I like it with as much as four times the quarter bar spoon I've stipulated in this recipe.

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$4.98 per cocktail*

Makes a minimum of 8 cocktails.
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Gallery

Comments & Discussion

Scott McIsaac Premium Member
I used Kirkland Islay whisky (which is suspected to be sourced from Caol Ila), St Germain, Kirkland XO cognac, and nearly 5 ml of absinthe. It's delightful.
score: 1
Calvin Grant Premium Member
Very nice with the additional absinthe.
score: 1
G. M. Genovese Premium Member
This grew on me. The peat (Laphroaig Cairdeas cask-strength Quarter Cask) was too medicinal at first, but settled into a nice balance by the third sip. Red grapes (didn't have any) couldn't be a more perfect garnish. Elderflower and grapes, huh?... I used the 1.25 ml of absinthe, and that could be bumped up a touch. Interesting drink! (31 May 2023, 10:51a)
score: 1
John Hinojos Premium Member
Not a real peat fan, but this was outstanding. Did use a little less Elderflower to cut down on the sweet, but was perfect. The Elderflower flavour comes through perfectly. The peat was balanced. Thank you Simon for giving me another use for the peated Whisky I have in my drinks cabinet.
score: 2
Jeremy Harrold
A very easy to drink peated whisky cocktail. A touch sweet but I used Bowmore 12 and St Germain. Nice to come home to…
score: 1
Chris Brislawn
No Fiorente so used 1 oz St. Germain. Tempted to try an XO but went with 1 oz of my go-to cocktail cognac (ABK6 VSOP) for a first attempt. Added 1/2 tsp (1/12 oz or 2.5 ml) of absinthe; it doesn't need more than that. Simon appears to be going nuclear with the peat so I used 1 oz Compass Box Peat Monster. Wow; what a revelation. The smoke and sweet floral notes play incredibly well together. Well done! I'd like to cut the sugar (but not the florals) a bit; is Fiorente drier than St. Germain?
score: 1
Simon Difford Verified User Premium Member
I've just tried Fiorente against St. Germain and they are very similar in all regards, including sweetness and citric acidity. I'd say both are less sweet than many other elderflower liqueurs. Both are excellent but nice to support the family-owned and made Fiorente.
score: 2

View 6 comments and discussion

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Difford’s Shop logo
$4.98 per cocktail*

Makes a minimum of 8 cocktails.
Shipping and applicable tax calculated at checkout.


Orders are processed by a licensed Fulproof retailer. The buy now button is added simply for convenience.

Checkout

* May not include all ingredients. Price per cocktail is an estimate based on cost of one cocktail with ingredients shown above and does not include shipping.

Visit Difford’s Shop USA

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