After reading an article on Perfect Manhattans possibilities on the Wine Enthusiast site, I tried this variation that I think is really terrific. I really liked the way the lemon + briny flavors worked with the rye and vermouths.
2 oz Rittenhouse Bonded Rye
1/2 oz Dolin Dry Vermouth
1/2 oz Carpano Antica Vermouth
2 dashes Angostura
Expressed lemon twist
Cocktail Onion (or green olive)
Sounds interesting. I am trying now Rittenhouse + Dolin Rouge + Cinzano Dry and I am missing the sweetness I am used to... Maybe the Dolin Dry + an italian rosso would make it better!
Manhattan sweet too sweet
I'll take Manhattan is great for the cherry/complexity, but way to sweet
Manhattan Perfect: Just miss the cherry/complexity despite the garnish
So I combined them to make the best of all worlds:
Interesting drink. I used to have my manhattan with 2oz bourbon (or rye for more character) 1oz sweet vermouth 2-3 dashes angustura 1-2 dashes fee brothers chocolate. This one is of course dryer but interesting in summer if you are looking for a "fresher" Manhattan