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Based on the previous comments, probably a good thing that I didn’t dissolve the maple syrup properly and it solidified on the ice in the mixing glass (caveat emptor, much). Followed Justin’s lead i used chocolate bitters approx 7 drops. This is broadly a very successful flavour combo and will be forgiving of wide experimentation. I used Luxardo abano in place of Averna.

Halved the maple syrup, was a little too sweet the first time. Had to sub in chocolate bitters for the tobacco which worked very well to add a subtle earthiness.

This was overly sweet for me....and I cut back on the maple syrup to 1/4 oz/7.5 ml. Very unbalanced. Not a repeat for me.

Very nice. I used Whistle Pig 10 Year Small Batch Rye and double the Nonino in absence of the Averna. I would also back off the maple syrup to 10 ml. Iam fortunate to have found tobacco bitters, but I do wonder how an extra step of smoking the cocktail would work; I plan to try it. This is a keeper.

I was out of Averna so I subbed in Ramazzotti, which worked very well. Also, 15ml of maple syrup makes it *very* sweet; if that’s not your thing I would take it down to 10 or even 5ml.

I didn’t have tobacco bitters, so used Dillion’s Extra Special Bitters then added smoke to the glass. Turned out pretty well.

Is smoking the glass with tobacco an acceptable substitute for tobacco bitters?

Admittedly I didn't make the exact drink as I didn't have the nonino (used cynar instead) and replaced the tobacco bitter with Barkepper Fennel bitters (seemed to match the theme) and it is excellent. I will endeavor to pick up some Nonino before the end of Fall (though it's 30c in L.A. in October right now) and try this again.