Haley requested a whiskey cocktail that broke from the old-fashioned mold to which we are so frequently lured, and I found myself drawn to the Red Hook as outlined by the inimitable Tuxedo no. 2. They warn:
While it is difficult to find anything wrong with this drink, it’s greatest asset is also its potential downside: what makes it so palatable could possibly be perceived as boring
How right they are! We made this with Bulleit, Cocchi, and Luxardo; it tasted like, well, a slightly more floral Manhattan. We both instantly settled on a seven-out-of-ten rating, which is not too bad (and frankly a good use of Luxardo, which I find myself sitting on a lot unless I'm in the mood for an Aviation.)