First time trying it I went exactly to spec, all but a nice Anejo subbed in. Quite a discovery! Loved where it put me on the sweet-sour spectrum, and the Averna, as usual, was an agreeable complement.
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I don't know if truly discerning drinkers would consider my tastes pedestrian, but I made this with Rittenhouse and Averna and found it to be quite good. The dry vermouth tilts it away from what might have been too sweet territory.
This excellent riff on a Vieux Carre makes me wonder if many Manhattan variants can be "blackened" with Averna and made even more enjoyable.
The Averna and Benedictine are friendly companions in this, which was not a guarantee given the complexity of each. Quite a nice sipper.
From cabinet necessity, I subbed in Grand Marnier and have to say I was pleased by the result. It steered a bit closer to a Sidecar that way, which in my mind is not a bad thing.
I'm another without the vanilla bitters, but found that drops of regular vanilla and a dash of black walnut bitters served in good stead.
Following the great advice to cut back on the maple syrup and subbing in Bittermans Xocolatl Mole bitters for the tobacco bitters made for one of my new favorites. I also sprinkled a little ground clove onto the orange peel garnish to give my nose the intended experience.