The Symphony

Difford’s Guide
Discerning Drinkers (90 ratings)

Serve in a Coupe glass

Ingredients:
1 oz Hayman's London Dry Gin
23 oz Luxardo Maraschino liqueur
13 oz Green Chartreuse (or alternative herbal liqueur)
16 oz Torabhaig Peated Single Malt Whisky
23 oz Lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
× 1 1 serving
Read about cocktail measures and measuring

How to make:

  1. Select and pre-chill a Coupe glass.
  2. Prepare garnish of lemon zest twist.
  3. SHAKE all ingredients with ice.
  4. STRAIN into chilled glass.
  5. EXPRESS lemon zest twist over the cocktail and use as garnish.

Strength & taste guide:

No alcohol
Medium
Boozy
Strength 9/10
Sweet
Medium
Dry/sour
Sweet to sour 8/10

Review:

A boozy riff on the Last Word made more interesting by subtle notes of peated Islay whisky.

View readers' comments

History:

Adapted from a recipe created in 2016 by Martin Bilsborough, Manchester, England. Martin's original recipe called for the glass to be rinsed with Ardbeg. I tried this but preferred the extra hint of peatiness gained by combining an Islay malt with the rest of the ingredients.
Last Word history

Nutrition:

One serving of The Symphony contains 161 calories

Alcohol content:

  • 1.4 standard drinks
  • 22.97% alc./vol. (22.97° proof)
  • 19.5 grams of pure alcohol

Difford’s Guide remains free-to-use thanks to the support of the brands in green above. Values stated for alcohol and calorie content, and number of drinks an ingredient makes should be considered approximate.

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26th November 2023 at 16:56
As far as Last Word riffs go, this is probably my favourite. Used ~7,5 - 10 ml of Lagavulin 16 and it introduced subtle peaty/smokey hints that went well with Chartreuse.
Alexander Timofeyev’s Avatar Alexander Timofeyev
21st May 2023 at 02:30
My preferred variation is with equal parts maraschino and green chartreuse - 15 ml each - with a Lagavulin rinse in addition to the 5 ml in the cocktail. I feel the flavours better balanced that way, and the hint of smoke and peat comes through without getting lost.
Crystal Light ’s Avatar Crystal Light
14th August 2023 at 02:06
Just tried the original recipe, then adjusted it according to your suggestion. And I 100% agree—this really elevated the drink for me!
13th April 2023 at 18:45
Upped the Islay to 10 ml and layered it on the drink at the end, perfect for when you like a smoky nose.
5th January 2023 at 04:10
lovely, but could use a little bit more peat
G. M. Genovese’s Avatar G. M. Genovese
20th November 2022 at 13:32
To my taste, 10 ml of the Maraschino and 15 ml of the Chartreuse was a step in the right direction. 7.5 ml of Laphroaig (added 2.5 ml more after the shake/strain) helped to amplify the smoky edge just enough. But in regards to the notes and modifications, yes, a mere rinse with the Islay is not nearly enough.
G. M. Genovese’s Avatar G. M. Genovese
20th November 2022 at 09:11
I'm not sure if it's because I used yellow Chartreuse, but the Maraschino was way too forward in this to me, to the point where I wasn't getting much character from the Chartreuse, not to mention little if any Islay smoke. The ingredient mix sounds interesting. I guess I'll have to play with the specs.
Florian Ruf’s Avatar Florian Ruf
19th October 2021 at 20:38
Although I am a real Laphroaig fan, I suggest the original recipe and rinse only with the smoky whisky.
Alexander Timofeyev’s Avatar Alexander Timofeyev
21st May 2023 at 02:27
I think either one isn't enough on their own, but I think both of them together - a rinse of the glass and 5 ml in the shaker - is perfect. It's still subtle - just a hint of peat and smoke - but keeps it from getting lost in the other strong flavours.
John Hinojos’ Avatar John Hinojos
8th April 2021 at 03:26
Very good cocktail. The peat of the Scotch adds a hint of smokey, but does not overshadow the cocktail.