Viale

Notes:

What started as a subtle variation of one of my favorites, the Boulevardier, turned into something a bit more interesting. I was hoping to make a boulevardier-esque cocktail, but work Averna into the mix. Swapping it in for half of the sweet vermouth was a good start, but ultimately a bit too sweet and lacking complexity to my taste. Using the spicier flavor of rye (prefer 100 proof for this one) in place of bourbon was a nice counter to the sweet caramel flavors in Averna. The addition of just a hint of allspice dram as well as a few dashes of orange bitters, really changes the profile quite a bit. The smokey citrus finish from the Peat Monster rinse and flamed orange really ties this one together.

So what does it taste like? While the base is pure boulevardier, a sudden spike of sweetness strikes the mid palette but is quickly replaced by a bitter orange allspice tinged finish. The finish somehow reminds me a bit of the Fourth Regiment Cocktail, although just a tad sweeter. This is likely from the Regan’s bitters, which to my palate has a subtle celery flavor under all the orange.