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Tony Jones

Tony Jones

  • Commenter #48
  • Appreciated Commenter #45
  • Conversation Starter #106
Manhattan (Dry)
9 Comments
Tony Jones

Really interesting.
It's maybe too unbalanced to be a favourite( "Dry" in the title) but an enjoyable diversion.
It starts out like a regular Manhattan, and then the massive dryness comes in, like a Sirocco.
The vermouth pushes the bourbon tastements forward. Smashing.
(101, Noilly Pratt, Angostura)

My Boy Blue
3 Comments
Tony Jones

That's really good!
The cassis and lime combine very well (are they paired elsewhere?) with the tequila quite subtle.
I poured 10ml of dark cacao (clumsy) and it still felt slightly under -choc'd, so at half time I added some chocolate bitt but think I'd go to 15ml next time.
And there will be a next time.

Tony Jones

It's deliciously lemon-y, but my 1800 Reposado has gone MIA.
This is downside getting a smooth, relaxed tequila rather than the petrol charms of mezcal: it can often fail to pull its weight.

Spring Green
3 Comments
Tony Jones

A simple and worthwhile pleasure.
Clean and clear when cold, it looks pleasingly green with a slice of lime.
I can almost taste chocolate with all the herbs.

Industry Sour
11 Comments
Tony Jones

(Slight variation using agave and a few sprinkles of salt.)
Exceptional.
Initially I felt the vegetal green of the Chartreuse was being freshened with the lime, but then the medicinal warmth of the Fernet came through.
Having this at home means I've missed out on an approving nod from a bartender, but it's so easy (and cheap) here.
One for life. I cannot imagine a post-Industrial future.

Midnight Stinger
37 Comments
Tony Jones

I used 35/25 bourbon(101)/Fernet and poured into a frozen glass with ice.
My favourite cocktails are those which seem to create a whole new taste, and this certainly delivers. The lemon and Fernet combine and dominate with a unique buzz.

Tony Jones

I was trying to make this, but invented this "Brandy Mocha" by accident when I added Chocolate rather than Coffee Liqueur.
30ml black coffee (V60, Booths Black) 40ml brandy (Carlos I)
10ml chocolate liqueur Slice of orange flesh. Splash agave syrup.
Splash aquafaba and a few drops of Fees Foam (ie anything foamy)
All into Nutribullet. Add two ice cubes, leave one minute. Remove one cube then zizz up
Into frozen coupe glass (Martini glass too small).
Really good. Quite Christmas-y. Foamed very well. Isn’t the standard EM too coffee-y? This has Nuance.

Tony Jones

I once got very drunk with some charming Germans at the Osborne bodega.
Unlike other tours, they were very generous leaving, I think, six bottles of sherry between eight of us. Despite no common language, we then decided to see what else we could find, and found a bottle of Carlos I.
Once that was gone, and following my mirth-inducing use of the ladies' lavs, I headed home.
I bought a litre at Malaga Airport's Duty Free shop for €27.
I wanted to like it.
But it's bland. It's no Torres 10, sadly

Savannah
3 Comments
Tony Jones

I really enjoyed this.
Well Balanced, it becomes a unique taste. The cacao seems to smooth everything out.
(I used blood orange and brown cacao.)

Dolce-Amaro
8 Comments
Tony Jones

I disagree about too sweet (might the other reviewer have used sweet vermouth?)
Amaretto is a bit of a thug (see also Frangelico) overpowering drinks, and initial hit is all Amaretto, but the bitter Cynar came through.
Interesting, enjoyable, but not a Favourite.
"A bit weird" says Mrs Jones.
On first dates, stick to Old Fashioned, Negroni or Tequila Espresso Martini.

Tony Jones

Just had this again with Saliza, Punt et Mes, and Campari.
Superb again.
Quite Amaretto-forward, but it becomes rounded out and complex.
A real treat after a weekend away bringing all the family together. Some me-time.

Tony Jones

I'm pretty sure our PCs in Cuba came with coconut, but I'm not wild about it.
One day I ordered a PC and the waiter put it down in front of my wife. "That's for me" I said, and I saw a flicker of disappointment flash over his face.
After that, I had lots of rum sat at the bar to try to redeem my reputation.
I really enjoyed this easy cocktail. We bought a whole pineapple for 98p from Lidl and this one was an easy to make winner in the Nutribullet.

Friar Tuck
2 Comments
Tony Jones

I only had double and no milk, so I just used that (ie 3x30ml) and I added 10ml of Amaretto.
Mrs Jones & I pleased that in a recipe with some big personalities, nothing dominated and the cocktail became a whole new taste.
Less dairy worked well; too much dairy (Brandy Alexander) and my mouth goes claggy.

Negroni Sour
10 Comments
Tony Jones

Ratios provided a very tasty drink with Campari and Punt E Mes rather than Struchi (isn't Campari the default for Negroni?).
A great aperitif.

Campari Bitter liqueur
Not yet rated
2 Comments
Tony Jones

I've tried the rest, this is the best.
(Aperol is particularly bad.)
I didn't enjoy it at first, but I'm glad I persevered. Boulevediier and Negroni are amazing.
All hail.

Tony Jones

Having been underwhelmed by the basic Brandy Alexander, I really enjoyed this.
Much more going on, and a.lovely mouthfeel.
I added dash of chocolate bitters too.

Commodore No. 2
6 Comments
Tony Jones

Really successful from the standard recipe!
The brown cacao brings some viscosity, and its sweetness balances with the lemon's sour.
The grenadine makes a pretty pink; the low dose of bourbon provides interest without overpowering.
First brown cacao cocktail, and it's a winner!

Tony Jones

Ha - after saying I'd done this from the standard recipe, I spotted the recipe wants white c de c!
Giffard's bottles are great value, but I'm not buying both, am I!?

Commodore No. 2
6 Comments
Tony Jones

Really successful from the standard recipe!
The brown cacao brings some viscosity, and its sweetness balances with the lemon's sour.
The grenadine makes a pretty pink; the low dose of bourbon provides interest without overpowering.
First brown cacao cocktail, and it's a winner!

Tootsie Roll - Kelsey's Version
Not yet rated
1 Comment
Tony Jones

Thanks for this Kelsey!
I've not tried the TR sweet or the standard TR cocktail, so I'm not coming to this as purist. I found this as I have the ingredients.
And it's a knock-out! It creates a Super-Rum! Those bitters create a robust backbone, the orgeat and maple syrup slightly bend the sweetne in a new direction.
Great with Zapaca 23.
Very much worth a swing; favourite'd!