Recent discussions on Difford’s Guide

Matt’s Avatar Matt
7th November at 01:55
I think this is too sweet - I'm not sure how the taste guide (above) skews to dry, but it was too much for me to enjoy. I used a 12 yo El Dorado and Byrrh - that may have been part of the issue.
Matt’s Avatar Matt
7th November at 01:48
Simple cocktail, and I thought it was very good. I enjoy Negroni variants - I think this is quite a distance from a Negroni though. Brilliant, clear ruby color, with a hint of yellow/orange - nice in the glass. Rum character leads, but it is closely followed and bracketed by modest bitterness from the Byrrh and Campari. The rum, Byrrh and Campari also work together to create an interesting aged spice flavor. Not a favorite, but worth a shot for those looking to try every possible wrinkle on the Negroni template.
7th November at 01:45
A well-balanced cocktail that highlights the amaro in a wonderful way. The bitters really tie the cocktail together. Delightfully bittersweet, though I may try it with campari to see how it changes things.
Justin Aniello’s Avatar Justin Aniello
7th November at 01:26
Very tasty dessert drink, slightly prefer this to the Eggs-cellent though both are delicious. Boozy vanilla custard with an herbal chartreuse back drop.
Carolyn  Rush ’s Avatar Carolyn Rush
7th November at 00:28
Wow!!!
Dee-licious!
Bumped up the tequila to 60 ml (because we like our boozes boozy) and skipped the sugar syrup; it didn't seem to upset the balance.

This could be my new favorite go-to :)
6th November at 22:59
This is a phenomenally balanced drink. I don't really like any of these ingredients but the combination of the 4 is exceptional. I was trying to use up some oloroso but now I might end up buying another bottle!
6th November at 21:01
I used a hotter sauce than Tabasco and so probably need to dial back the amount just a gnat's, but it was 5-star tasty even so; the tequila worked so well with the chili and there was a bit of a smoky flavour to the result. Nice to see chilli sauce in a sweeter cocktail that isn't a rehash of a Bloody Mary.
Chris Dimal’s Avatar Chris Dimal
6th November at 17:48
I agree 100% with your take. Great drink.
Loz Horner ’s Avatar Loz Horner
6th November at 17:26
Finally bought some M liqueur and had one. Very nice. Sweet and sour and very well balanced.
Johan Alexandersson’s Avatar Johan Alexandersson
6th November at 15:38
Had this Vermut i Barcelona, just on the rocks, lemon peel and two olives on a toothpick. Definitely my new go to aperitif. So long Daiquiris (for a while).
Simon Difford’s Avatar Simon Difford
6th November at 07:36
Many thanks, Manuela. Now corrected to 36%
Matt’s Avatar Matt
6th November at 06:11
The fernet and brancamenta are clearly the dominant flavors, but the lime and ginger beer combine to lighten and brighten the cocktail. The notes mention this as a brunch cocktail, and I think that would be very nice and refreshing. I don't think I'd use this as a digestivo - there are other fernet drinks for that.
Calvin Grant’s Avatar Calvin Grant
6th November at 04:39
Subtle and satisfying. At first, ice cold it didn't taste like a nine one the boozy scale. I even thought it needed more pepper. Not so. As it warmed up is when the fun began. All the ingredients came to the fore with flavour a'pleanty. I subbed bourbon for the Speyside and Ferrand Dry Curaçao for the Grand Marnier.♡
Manuela Rodrigues’ Avatar Manuela Rodrigues
6th November at 02:39
*typo: alc./vol: 36%
---
> INGREDIENTS: water, alcohol, grape brandy, sugar, Moscatel wine, natural flavorings, flavorings, thickener: E422, color: E150d.
>> https://macieira.pt/product/macieira-royal-spirit/
Matt’s Avatar Matt
6th November at 02:21
Very delicious and interesting, but not very appealing in the glass. Tartness leads, then the amaro notes and sweetness catch up, and as the lime fades the flavor os the Braulio and Sfumato persist, with the smokiness of the Sfumato coming very late but lasting deep into the finish. Amaro fans need to try this - and should also try the closely related Dullboy's Amari Daquiri.
Matt’s Avatar Matt
6th November at 02:19
Delicious - but I like the Billy Sunday's Amaro Daquiri just a little more. Flash of tartness, with bitter Lucano and Braulio quickly following. Use of Lucano actually increases the bitterness a bit (vs. the Billy Sunday's), and for some reason allows the smokiness of the Sfumato to emerge a bit earlier. An excellent cocktail - if you like amaro you need to try this, as well as the Billy Sunday's Amaro Daiquiri.
michael Monaco’s Avatar michael Monaco
6th November at 00:53
As per below, I like this. But maybe a tad sweet. I made another version, where I cut the chartreuse and benedictine in half, and made up the difference with Byrrh. Very nice. I hope someone tries it and comments on the variation.
Dean Lubaki’s Avatar Dean Lubaki
6th November at 00:28
Used luxardo maraschino liqueur and Cointreau Orange triple sec. Added some luxardo maraschino cherries and juice as well. Amazing.
Caspian Berggren’s Avatar Caspian Berggren
6th November at 00:03
I didn't have high hopes for this one since I'm not a fan of the New York Sour but I got to admit, this one is pretty darn tasty. The blackberry notes from the wine plays really well with the herbal spice from the rye. It's not a super complex cocktail but it's definitely my go-to instead of the NY Sour from now on.
Juniper Lately’s Avatar Juniper Lately
5th November at 22:10
I didn’t have aperol so made it with Campari and just a drop of sugar syrup - very nice and not too sweet.
Egg McKenzie’s Avatar Egg McKenzie
5th November at 21:32
quite good yes not bad pleasant
Egg McKenzie’s Avatar Egg McKenzie
5th November at 21:31
i followed a different spec:
22.5ml cognac (pierre ferand)
22.5ml havana 7 year
30ml motherfucking cointreau
15ml lemon juice

and it was quite delicious and a slight level above a sidecar
Bocman’s Avatar Bocman
5th November at 19:51
It’s chinotto 🍊
I thinking no need for sugar syrup 😅
Bocman’s Avatar Bocman
5th November at 18:15
There’s something wrong with the cocktail. It really depends on your calvados. Mine is like white wine, and maybe it ruined this cocktail. 🙁