The Dandy (by Iain Meldrum)

Difford’s Guide
Discerning Drinkers (26 ratings)

Serve in an Old-fashioned glass

Ingredients:
1 oz Speyside single malt Scotch whisky
1 oz Gentian liqueur (e.g. Suze, Salers etc)
1 oz Strucchi Bianco Vermouth
3 drop Saline solution 4:1 (20g sea salt to 80g water)
× 1 1 serving
Read about cocktail measures and measuring

How to make:

  1. Select and pre-chill an Old-fashioned glass.
  2. Prepare rosemary sprig for garnish.
  3. STIR all ingredients with ice.
  4. STRAIN into ice-filled glass.
  5. Garnish with rosemary sprig.

Allergens:

Recipe contains the following allergens:

Strength & taste guide:

No alcohol
Medium
Boozy
Strength 7/10
Sweet
Medium
Dry/sour
Sweet to sour 7/10

Review:

Dry and slightly on the bitter side of bittersweet, single malt scotch, gentian liqueur and dry vermouth sit well together in this appealing aperitif-style cocktail.

View readers' comments

History:

Adapted from a recipe created in 2017 by Iain Meldrum at Michael Neave Kitchen & Whisky Bar in Edinburgh, Scotland. Iain's original recipe called for 25ml single malt scotch (sweet & fruity), 25ml Suze, 25ml Dolin Blanc and 3 drops 5% saline solution.

Iain says, "The Boulevardier cocktail got its name from Parisian urbanites and fashion-followers. This pale, Scotch-based version takes its name from the British (and particularly Scottish Border) word for a man-about-town. It's also a nod to that other famous Scottish product, the Dandy comic."

Nutrition:

One serving of The Dandy (by Iain Meldrum) contains 164 calories

Alcohol content:

  • 1.3 standard drinks
  • 19.93% alc./vol. (19.93° proof)
  • 18 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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Frederic D.’s Avatar Frederic D.
16th April at 00:42
I didn't love this drink, unfortunately. I agree that it is well balanced, and that the saline is essential. My issue is mostly that I don't think this particular combination of flavors works that well, at least for my palate.
Mookie’s Avatar Mookie
16th January at 22:52
I honestly wasn't sure about this one and I was really happy with how balanced it is - I feel like that saline is especially important here. Will try splitting bianco and dry vermouth next time
Matan Lieberman’s Avatar Matan Lieberman
27th September 2024 at 21:56
Way too bitter for me. Perhaps it should be blanc vermouth instead not dry?
Simon Difford’s Avatar Simon Difford
12th October 2024 at 17:29
Agreed! I've switched to bianco vermouth. Many thanks.
Tony Jones’ Avatar Tony Jones
4th November 2023 at 18:20
I feared the mild Speyburn would be overwhelmed here but it still shone through. Noilly and Suze play well together too.
I wish I had some rye whiskey to try too.
Marcus Burckhardt’s Avatar Marcus Burckhardt
22nd April 2022 at 21:25
Surprisingly sublte. The ingredients work very nicely together.
Peter Anderson’s Avatar Peter Anderson
29th April 2022 at 12:21
Agreed. Never gone in for any riffs on the White Negroni as Suze just dominates. But this really works.