Blood orange juice contrasts with and stands up to the scotch better than ordinary orange juice, and it gives the drink more of a Sangre De Toro color.
I did also mean to note that this version, as well as the Difford’s Blood & Sand, are much superior to the original for Scotch lovers, in my opinion. The original excels as a gateway to Scotch for people who don’t like Scotch, though.
Skipped the Islay and used my homemade cherry liqueur (2:1 cognac:vodka, cherries, sugar, vanilla), along with Monkey Shoulder and Cocchi Storico. Very nice and layered, with the sweet/tart cherry liqueur and spiced Cocchi really coming together.
Though a small amount, the Islay Scotch was surprisingly very forward. A fairly balanced cocktail, not too sweet, with the Blood orange coming through at the end.