Faded Gentleman

2 oz Gin, The Botanist
1⁄2 oz Crème de Violette, Rothman & Winter
1⁄4 oz Islay Scotch, Octomore
1 bsp Gran Classico
2 ds Lavender bitters, Scrappy's Lavender
1 twst Lemon peel (as garnish)
Instructions

Stir for 30 seconds, strain into coupe, garnish.

Cocktail summary
Created by
Zachary Pearson
Year
2013
Is the
author's original creation
Curator
Not yet rated
Average
4 stars
(19 ratings)
YieldsDrink
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From other users
  • Too much Islay for me, but Steve - who drinks the stuff straight - thought it was wonderful. — ★★★★★
  • A beautiful almost metallic look makes this among the prettiest drinks I've had. The taste is very good.
  • Made with Tanq, Laphroaig 10, and Campari. Odd as expected, but not unappealingly so. Smoke keeps the floralness honest.
  • Complex. Interesting. Strong.
  • probably the fanciest (i.e. most bizarre combo) i've attempted at home
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Comments
bza commented on 5/07/2013:

This is so wrong, yet seems so right.

Obviously Dan hasn't seen it yet - he loves drinks with a pile of creme de violette... There's an antique feel to this drink - violet and lavender and gentian from the Classico balanced by super leathery peaty Scotch. I think the gin could be subbed out (though I like it), as long as the Scotch is very very peaty, I think you'd be fine.

Thanks,

Zachary

This is an excellent and subtle cocktail that is still light and appealing to those often daunted by complex drinks. Personally, I prefer it with Creme Yvette as I find the Creme de Violette is a bit sweet for my tastes.

Dan commented on 10/15/2014:

Challenging. I admit that I swapped the amounts of the Violette and Gran Classico. Austere and floral. The gin and Islay works better than it has any right to. Worth summoning the courage to try -- maybe even more than once.

The gin and Scotch work well together because they're made by the same people. Glad y'all have liked this.

Thanks,

Zachary

Dan commented on 10/16/2014:

(sheepishly) Actually I use Beefeater and Laphroaig 10, although I did enjoy the Botanist. I'm not sure I got a ton of Islay out of it though.

jensck commented on 7/27/2017:

Brilliant. Benefits from a little extra Gran Classico.

I love Gran Classico and am always looking for new uses for it. Somehow, this all of these ingredients come together into something that is complex, balanced, and most importantly unique! It's always fun to find something that tastes so new after the ten tons of variations on the same handful of classics. Also, some kind of chemical reaction is happening in this drink that turns it a crazy color...maybe the violette and classico? 'Metallic' colored, from a previous comment is a good way to describe it. Anyway, it tastes good and also looks super cool. This would be a great surprise to make for someone who likes islay scotch, or to stretch what creme de violette can do for someone who likes aviations.