A few ways to answer that, but "a limited selection", "ratios to taste" and "working from home" are three.

Are you drinking Manhattan-like cocktails made with Wild Turkey Rye and either Martini & Rossi sweet vermouth or Noilly Prat sweet vermouth? Ratios are up to you, but a dash or two of some bitters would be a good thing and some better vermouth would be even better. We can't have you working buzzed on bad booze, now, can we?

Yeah, Ric, you have no excuse. I know there is better vermouth in the bay area!

For me: 2008 Chateau Ste Michelle Indian Wells Merlot

Edited October 27, 201114 yr by shellylh

Founder Backwoods Bastard. Been looking forward to this release for quite some time.

Nice! This year's batch is already out? I thought Backwoods Bastard is a Nov. release?

Moloko for me

I know, I know Al and Shelly. The Bitters (Angostura & Peychauds) are about as lame. Must venture outside house.

Beautiful Moloko bottle there Raffy.

following Shelly:

Chateau Ste Michelle - 2009 - Riesling 'Eroica'

With - Spinach Chicken Saag -- Happy Diwali everyone!!

Edited October 27, 201114 yr by mikeymad

I know, I know Al and Shelly. The Bitters (Angostura & Peychauds) are about as lame. Must venture outside house.

Beautiful Moloko bottle there Raffy.

I like those bitters.

Yep the problem is definitely the Vemouth. The rye and bitters are much above the level of the vermouth.

Caved in to all the Manhattan talk so I made a Handy Manhattan with Carpano Antica and Angostura Bitters.

I'm starting to warm up to this whole cocktail deal....any suggestion on my next cocktail venture? Has to be bourbon or rye based though as I am trying to thin my stash of those

Sazerac or Old Fashioned perhaps?

Raffy, you're a Liberal!

And I pledge to raise to the occasion gang. Better Vermouth it is.

Thanks for the suggestion Ric!

Raising my glass to better Vermouth indeed! Martini made me drive 30 miles to get Dolin Rouge....thank God they had Carpano Antica when I got there!

I would definitely suggest a Sazerac if your looking to use up some rye. You need Peychaud's bitters and Herbsaint or Absinthe. This is how I like to make mine:

Agreed that the Liberal is a great drink but the Amer Picon (or substitutes) may be difficult to find outside of California. You could use both Torani Amer (only in Cali) or Amaro CioCiaro (found in many places I think) as a substitute for the Amer Picon. I like the Torani Amer better (although Cio Ciaro is supposed to be closer to the original Amer Picon). I did some testing and found that a 2:1 or 1:1 ratio (cannot remember) of Cio Ciaro to Regans Orange bitters was pretty close to Torani Amer but tasted better. So if you can find Amaro Cio Ciaro, I would suggest making a Liberal with that and extra orange bitters.

As for the Sazerac, yes, it is an awesome drink. Drink it now, drink it often!

The other drink I would recommend is the Boulevardier. I love this drink and you already have 2/3 of the ingredients. The other ingredient, Campari, is easy to find.

Even for someone who has refused to accept to cocktail trend, that was a cool video. Thanks Jim.

Raffy - yeah it seems like Founders decided to move things a little early this year. I've been seeing Backwoods Bastard in pictures on BeerAdvocate over the past week, so it must be in the hands of most distributors by now and on the way to retailers (if not there already). It's good, better bottled than on tap imo.

My store was out of Bluecoat gin so I got Hendrick's instead. Haven't tried it yet, its one of the good ones, right? Also saw they have all 3 of the St. George gins now too.

Mountain Man, doubled. Awesome end to the day.

@Fitzy: Hendricks is great gin. I have not paid enough attention to the St. Georges gins, but I am not super impressed. I wonder what Jim and Shelly think.

Edited October 27, 201114 yr by Voltron

Hi Fitz! I like Hendricks.

That looks awesome Al.

Having some Amaro Montenegro. I need to try this in a Cobble Hill.

Agree with the Hendrick's. Be sure to try a Pink Gin using Hendrick's(I prefer it with Tanqueray but with Hendrick's it has a nice/interesting taste) and of course a Gin and Tonic using cucumber slices and Fever Tree tonic.

Currently having a White Lady.

Edited October 27, 201114 yr by HDen

My store was out of Bluecoat gin so I got Hendrick's instead. Haven't tried it yet, its one of the good ones, right? Also saw they have all 3 of the St. George gins now too.

Fitz, try a Hendricks gin & tonic with a slice of cucumber garnish. One of the underlying flavors in Hendricks is cucumber so it compliments it very well.

Edit - wow, HDen beat me to it!!

Edited October 27, 201114 yr by Absorbine_Sr

I saw some Fentiman's Tonic Water at the store the other day. Anyone tried one in a G&T? Sounds good but a bit pricey.

In honor of that fine video, I'm having a wonderful Thomas Handy Sazerac.

I saw some Fentiman's Tonic Water at the store the other day. Anyone tried one in a G&T? Sounds good but a bit pricey.

I bought a 4 pack a couple of weeks ago Shelly. I poured 3 bottles out. Needless to say, it was not a favorite.

I drank Hendricks martinis tonight. I ate olives.

Oh, I see. Still curious to try it if I can find a place to buy a single bottle.

Cobble Hill

• 2 oz rye whiskey
  
• ½ oz dry vermouth
  
• ½ oz Amaro Montenegro
  
• 2 slices of cucumber
  
• Stir with ice and strain in to a cocktail glass. Garnish with a lemon zest twist.
  

(only made 1/2 the recipe)

Edited October 27, 201114 yr by shellylh

I drank Hendricks martinis tonight. I ate olives.

Excellent Monkey!!