3.5/5, rounding to 4. Semi-dry, drier than expected based on the Dolin blanc. I attribute this to the Swedish bitters which lend a bit of a cedar chest flavor & nose.

Dark brown, cola colored with a slight amber hint. Nose is a rich, sweet mix of the nutty sherry and rum with hints of clove, sweet dark fruit, and allspice. Sip is light and sweet up front, perhaps from the Benedictine, and that sweetness continues onto the midpalate with the sweet dark fruit notes of the Punt e Mes combining the rum, whose flavor emerges nicely, and briefly dominates. Towards the back of the tongue, the combination of sweet nutty and lightly acidic flavors from the sherry come forward and the back of the tongue, and especially the swallow, sees the bitter herbal notes of the Punt e Mes. Often, Punt e Mes can be a bit over-bitter but in this case it is light, and just enough to provide a fantastic foil to the sweetness on the initial sip. The finish sees a slight dryness on the tongue and the sherry dominating. All in all this is a fantastic, complex, and wholly original drink, presenting flavors that most drinkers are not used to experiencing in a a sophisticated and intriguing package. Furthermore, it is a drink that evolves as it warms, becoming more rum and sherry dominant with the bitterness decreasing slightly.

Used Ron Zacapa 23 and delicious. Any other old monk substitution suggestions?

Very nice, rum and sherry combo gives a lot of richness with the bitter notes for the vermouth and the herbals as well as a late hit of chocolate from the bitters. Wonderful.