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Final Ward
The Last Word is classically made with gin, maraschino, Chartreuse and lime juice. In this riff, whiskey replaces the gin, and Mr Ward switches citrus...
Joseph Nelson
28th June at 22:49
Masterful! The switch to rye appeals to me hugely, even though I used a budget rye for this one (a George Dickel chill filtered). The rye keeps spice in the profile and the maraschino and herbal liqueur (I used Luxardo Del Santo) blend deliciously to create a bittersweet cocktail that I think is making it into my shaker on a regular basis. The mix just seems to work for my palate without making me consider any changes.
28th June at 21:21
I can sort of see the appeal of this, but it's not nearly as good as the Last Word for me. I'm not sure if it's the change to rye or the change to lemon.
Give it a try though, maybe it's just my tastes.
Give it a try though, maybe it's just my tastes.
5th June at 23:01
Tried this again prompted by recent email from Difford's Guide revisiting Simon's selection of the 20 best Maraschino Liqueur cocktails. I rated this excellent (5) the first time last year but made a note to try with upping the Bourbon which I did to 1oz. I will be changing rating to 5+!
6th June at 17:59
Just curious...are you using rye or low/no rye bourbon?
1st June at 01:44
If the last word variations with rhum has the peril of touching the edges of daiquiri, I am afraid -even when this is good-, is rubbing the Peninciline neighborhood -very different yes in the ingredients, but the taste is familiar-. In a way this travel of all the 'Last Words' is like those toys were you had Winnie the Poo disguised as tiger, as Kanga and as Roo. Every time it changes from Rhum, to Tequila, to Mezcal, to Whisky, is sort of a disguise party of each into being something familiar but different.
4th April at 01:54
I did enjoy this, but will probably make it again and halve the Chartreuse and Luxardo and double the rye.
5th November 2025 at 02:37
Last Word variants are almost full-proof, and this is works well. However, while I'm sure the rye is in there (I put it in myself) it is buried under the (delicous) green chartreuse and maraschino. Lemon brightens and lifts the drink acidity to better match the maraschino than the chartreuse without diminishing any of the chartreuse herb/spice complexity.
11th October 2025 at 13:17
For us this was pleasant enough, if a bit one-dimensional. Things got a bit more interesting when we added a dash or two of grapefruit bitters.
6th June at 18:07
Grapefruit bitters can really alter a flavor profile. 1-2 drops tone down sweetness in drinks using citrus... or simply a drink that would otherwise be cloyingly sweet. Absolutely imperative in a favorite of mine... https://www.diffordsguide.com/cocktails/recipe/36772/walthalls-white-negroni
10th May 2025 at 21:46
Truly excellent. Perhaps more balanced than the OG?
25th November 2024 at 05:17
delicious, predictably. not too sour, stuff usually is for me. well balanced, but for my taste i might want to bump up the rye by 50% or more.
13th November 2024 at 23:54
This is a great drink! I made a slight modification and used two parts rye (split between Old Forester and Alberta Premium Cask Strength) to one part everything else and it is lovely.
2nd November 2024 at 18:01
I was a bit on autopilot today and made this like a ‘closing argument’ replacing the mezcal with rye - meaning lime not lemon. It was pretty good. Will now have to try this properly. Poor me!
4th April 2024 at 21:04
This is very good the lemon juice gives it a sour kick that I like. I used Luxardo Perla Dry because that’s what I had and it is extra boozy, I like that too!
9th January 2024 at 20:21
God this is a perfect drink. Thank you!
18th February 2023 at 02:12
Like a Monte Cassino, but brighter.
18th February 2023 at 13:28
Thanks, Jared. I've added a link to the Monte Cassino above.
27th March 2022 at 23:14
As per Marc's suggestion below, tried with Yellow Chartreuse; yummy!
6th September 2021 at 23:06
This was good. I did find it had a slight sweetness. Not overly sweet, and still enjoyable. Half way through, I did a spritz of Absinthe on the top. Took down the sweetness and added to the herbal notes.
30th April 2021 at 22:54
Try it with yellow vs green Chartruese....
24th February 2021 at 21:00
My wife and I love this drink. It is an excellent mix of herbal and brightly sweet notes, with a dry finish. We have also tried this with a higher-proof bourbon (Makers 46) and enjoyed the results.
9th December 2020 at 22:24
This one is a slow sipper...has an semi dry, citrus finish. Would make this again.
5th December 2020 at 21:52
Excellent cocktail. The Rye Whiskey takes the Maraschino.