This cocktail sounded incredible so, not being a rum drinker, I went and bought a bottle of Meyer’s Dark Rum to make this one to spec. Perhaps it was that dark rum ‘funk’ I hear mentioned so often, but there was something a bit off putting for my palate with this cocktail. I’m not sure but it seemed a bit thin and watery on the palate and then finished with an odd aftertaste that I found unpleasant. Perhaps I over stirred it thereby diluting it too much? I stirred this one as I do all stirred ‘spirit forward’ cocktails. I may give it another try with a much shorter stir time.

Blasphemous I know, but I think I like this better than the Vieux Carré. It's both softer and warmer. I used Vya vermouth, which also really amped up the Christmas spice character. Lovely

Revisited this as realised I’d omitted the lemon zest last.time. Wow, love this even more now. The VC is a little harsh for me and I think it’s the rye, La Vina aside I think I’m not a fan of rye whiskey. This though is amazing. Really enjoying every sip.

Three ### (very few past ##) in my 2300+ bookmarked cocktail recipes. I'm not even a huge bourbon lover but love tasty/complex sippers that I'm not compelled to quaff too rapidly.

Well this is a little find, was searching on Benedictine as I had a hankering and this beaut popped up. Perfect sipper, very smooth and layered with flavour.

Agree with Caspian that this is much softer than a VC, likely thanks to bourbon subbing for rye. I found it more enjoyable when I stopped thinking of it as a VC riff. A complex, rich, boozy, enjoyable drink.

Monymusk Special Reserve, Willet PR, Cocchi di Torino.

Really nice take on the Vieux Carre. It's softer than the original but with warmer spices. I'll certainly make this again.

Very very VERY good! Myers's and Jack, Cocchi Storico. Angostura and Peychaud's. Plus the lemon wisps. I
couldn't set this down! ☆☆☆☆☆♡

First sip was off-putting, but it settled in soon enough. Did not have Benedictine (and this prompting me to restock), so I used a 1:1 split of Licor 43 and PF Dry Curacao, a combo which is way fruitier. That's possibly the 'off-flavor' here... But the Myers's and Four Roses went surprisingly well together... I'll be back.

I upped the rum and whiskey to 1 oz each and it was still plenty sweet. This definitely belongs on your New Orleans Cocktails page, probably as a "Classic" (stylistically) even though it appears to be relatively new.

Easy to like and drink. Sweeter than I expected with balanced and rounded spirit flavours. A touch of red fruit, bitter orange, honey, herbs and occasional aniseed. Very nice.

Made with Hamilton Black Pot Stilled Rum. Being that rum is my favourite alcohol, I loved this cocktail. Bold rum flavour with hints from the Benedictine and Bourbon. An absolute winner.

Made this with a 5 year Plantation Rum. Very balanced and different. It’s like a Manhattan on an island. Will make again with a darker stronger rum to see what that’s like. This is great cocktail to play with different rims and whiskeys!

Tremendous. Possibly even better than the classic.