A relatively subtly-peaty Islay (Laproaig Oak Select) seems to fall short in this. Cynar might not be sweet enough either to cut through enough. I'm mostly tasting the Giffard Abricot du Roussillon, with a smoky top note. I initially made this forgetting the Ango, then dropped two dashes in the glass and swirled it with my finger. Big difference! The Ango is key.

That smell reminds me of Hot Tamales and I love it!

Drinking this while watching "The brotherhood of the bell", excellent crime/mystery/drama made for tv with Glenn Ford. Definitely good cocktail for that kind of the movie and good movie for that kind of cocktail. No amaro at the moment, but really good, dry black walnut liqueur with plenty of herbs as a substitute.

It's impressive how the other ingredients balance the Islay scotch so well, however it ends up tasting more like stomach acid than anything else.

Apricot liqueur is something I prefer more in theory than in practice. However this recipe balances it beautifully.

Had to try this having just aquired a bottle of Rothman & Winter Orchard Apricot Liqueur. Alas, I was out of Ramazzotti. Dare say, I was able to pull this off with a bit of Meletti and some Tempus Fugit Gran Classico. Strongly recommend if you like Islay Scotch. Ramazzotti's on the shopping list.

Happy to report that image now displaying is correct.

Check the photo- it’s not correct for this cocktail