Episode 55 - Whiskey Business III - The Whiskiest Yet!

What happens when you record a podcast with a whole bunch of people drinking single malt scotch?  This episode, that's what happens!

In this episode, two of the Gentlemen of Elegant Leisure once again join the ranks of the White Rock Whiskey Society and try out a couple of cocktails on them.  The first one was the Rusty Nail.  The Gents did this drink in the last episode but this time around they tried it first using a blended scotch called "The Famous Grouse" and then again with a very smoky single malt called "Laphroaig".  The smoky scotch was used this time around because that's how Ted Haigh said to make it in "Vintage Spirits and Forgotten Cocktails"

Some of the whiskey folks preferred the sweeter blended scotch while others preferred the smoky version.  Corina suggested a little citrus peel for the smoky one and the Gents were able to provide some lemon peel (although everybody really wanted orange peel which would work better).  Only then did they realize it's actually included in the damn recipe!  Here you go.

Rusty Nail
-as per Dr. Cocktail Ted Haigh's book "Vintage Spirits and Forgotten Cocktails"

2 ounces good smoky scotch
1 ounce Drambuie

Combine in a small rocks glass on a couple lumps of ice and swizzle.  Garnish with a lemon twist.

You'll have to listen to the episode to see what everyone thought!

There's some stuff that went into the drink! We weren't so good at taking pictures this time around.

Next up was a classic cocktail that the Gents should have done long ago!  The Sazerac!

The Sazerac
-as per Dr. Cocktail Ted Haigh's book "Vintage Spirits and Forgotten Cocktails"

1 teaspoon absinthe or pastis (Herbsaint, Pernod, or Ricard)
1 teaspoon simple syrup
3-4 dashes of Peychaud's Bitters
3 ounces rye whiskey

Chill an old-fashioned glass.  Coat the inside of the glass with absinthe or pastis, leaving a slight puddle in the glass bottom. 
In a separate mixing glass, combine the whiskey, the simple syrup and bitters with ice and stir.  Strain the contents into the old-fashioned glass.
Twist a strip of lemon peel over the surface of the drink and discard (or toss in.  The Gents tossed it in)

They're just sampler sized. There was a lot of scotch to drink!

Some of the whiskey folks really liked this cocktail.  They thought it was so much more complex than the Rusty Nail that it practically blew it out of the water.  Some still preferred the sweetness and accessibility of the Rusty Nail.  Now it's up to you to decide.  Make them both and leave a comment below.  We always love to hear from you.

Thanks again to the White Rock Whiskey Society for hosting us!