Mike

Excellent and well-rated at 4.5. Faintly reminiscent of a Martinez, the cognac and absinthe steer it in a different direction. Alchemy indeed. I could go 2 dashes of absinthe but recommend you start with 1.

Ford’s gin, Maison Rouge VSOP, Cocchi di Torino, La Clandestine. (I think The Botanist would be wonderful in this drink).

This is really really good. I gave 4.5 but seriously considered 5. Caspian is spot on: the small portion of rum makes the drink, so make sure it is funky.

I scaled up the drink a bit and am I glad I did.

1 oz / 30 ml Ford’s gin
1 oz / 30 ml Dubonnet
3/4 oz / 22.5 ml Aperol
1/4 oz / 7.5 ml Smith & Cross

The only change I might consider is a regal stir.

I’m beginning to believe that gin and sherry are made for each other. The sherry nicely balances the sweetness of the chartreuse and allows the gin to come through. Wonderfully complex.

I didn’t have any fino in so used Los Arcos amontillado instead. I liked the nuttiness it brought.

Fords gin, Lustau Los Arcos Amontillado, Yellow Char, Regan’s No. 6.

Really interesting, layered and bright sour style drink. The nuttiness of the sherry is in the fore, well supported by lemon and apricot. The rum provides a critical spine for the drink. I believe the rum should be a bit aggressive, given its relatively small measure. I’ll try it again with Smith & Cross rum.

Lustau Los Arcos amontillado
Giffard Apricot
Moneymusk Special Reserve 10 year rum
Liber & Co Gum Syrup
Florida lemon
Angostura bitters