Punt e mes is great, but if you're like me and don't like to keep multiple open bottles of vermouth in the fridge, you can get something very close by adding quina liquor or frankly any bitter amaro to your regular sweet vermouth of choice.

Made this a few times over the years and wasn't sufficiently pleased... tonight I tried 4:2:1 with Elijah Craig straight rye; turned out the best expression. (11 Nov 2023, 4:30a)

have prev had served to me with half/half punt e mes and Carpano Antica, and 4 drops angostura and 2 drops orange bitters, all of which worked well. Gospel rye and 10ml Luxardo.

Rich and fulsome, with a surprising complexity. And then I read Pascal's comment below and added a Laphroaig 10 topper. Absolutely divine.

Nice, sturdy cocktail. Very warm, with gentle fruitiness from the Luxardo. I added a couple of dashes of cherry bitters. Delightful.

What a wonderful burst of flavours from a cocktail with so few ingredients. Very rye forward, but softened by the other flavours. Perfect for an aperitif. Served with olives and fresh cherries. Perfect.

I kind-of made this. Lacking punt e mes and not wanting to buy another perishable bottle until I've done with what I got, I added a teeny bit of campari. 40 ml okay bourbon (kirkland 7), 10 ml M&R rosso, 10 ml Lazzaroni maraschino liqueur, 2.5ml campari, 2.5ml luxardo syrup, luxardo cherry sitting in the bottom.

If anyone's wondering about my scaled-down drink size: I'm drinking this from a tiny 3 oz martini glass. I love these, but I do have to scale some drinks down.

Had this at a bar, they added a little Laphroaig 10 and called it 'Meat Hook'. Simply Amazing!