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Somehow, the name "Tooth & Nail" doesn't quite describe this drink, because it's overall taste is somewhat soft & sweet. Maybe that should be its name. I didn't have Macallan 12, but I did have Glenlivet 12, also a Speyside scotch. I also had Amer Picon (I purchased it by mail from England for a dear penny). But I would not rate this drink at 5.0, as one person did. After a lot thought and many sips, I rated the "Tooth & Tail" somewhere between 3.0 and 3.5.

Why? First, the whisky was overwhelmed by the Drambuie and (believe it or not) the Peach bitters. The Cynar probably had some, but not much, responsibility. The drink definitely has a sweetness to it, but it's not cloy. The Amer Picon and the peach bitters, and to some extent the Drambuie, were the bad boys here. Only a slight bitterness, from the Cynar no doubt.

My overall thoughts about the "Tooth & Tail?" It's a middling Scotch cocktail that needs some changes to bring out its better qualities. My first suggestion is to use only one dash of peach bitters. I would reduce the Dambuie slightly, and the Cynar, too. The Amer Picon --maybe make it two barspoons. And I would definitly up the Scotch to 2 1/2 oz. Now that I've suggested some significant changes, I will make them and see if there is any improvement in the "Tooth & Tail" cocktail. If not, then I leave it to others to improve this cocktail--if it can be improved. </p>

How does the Bols aged genever differ from the regular one in the clear bottle? Would this recipe work with the regular one?

Dan,

I have them both now - the Barrel Aged is new to Texas, and comes in a frosted bottle. It's less malty (which I think is the wood influence removing malt flavors like in Scotch), definitely spicy, but with my limited trials of the stuff, I think you need a lot of it to make an impact in a drink.

You could sub the regular Bols genever, but maybe add a barspoon of Bowmore to mimic the wood and spice.

Thanks,

Zachary

Kinda surprised at how much I dig this. The ingredients are not odd at all, but, I dunno, I guess I didn't expect them to come together like they do. It'll be in rotation for when I have yolks to use up.

Yes, this one is a keeper.  I accidentally used a dusting of nutmeg instead of ginger one time I was making one of these, and I think it is nicer than the ginger.

Used Grand Marnier no 2 in lieu of Cointreau. Also needed a little luxardo maraschino cherry juice.

Curated this. Removed note and rewrote instructions to avoid copyright issues. Clarified instructions to match our guidelines to the cited link. Thanks,  Zachary

Looks to me like the referenced recipe calls for one *drop*, rather than one dash, of absinthe, to rinse the mixing glass.

That's the alternative given to misting the mixing glass with absinthe. 

(As an aside, I don't quite get the point of doing such a rinse on the mixing vessel.)

I suppose it depends on what your definition of a drop is - I can't see how a drop of anything would coat the inside of a mixing glass (or be noticeable through an ounce of spirit and an ounce of amaro). From what I can tell, 6 drops = 1 dash, though a dash isn't a very specific sort of measurement.  Thanks,  Zachary

It is an odd instruction.  Tried the drink last night with a mist of absinthe in the serving glass and I still think it got lost.  Not a bad drink overall, through.

After reading other comments, I mixed this with a bar spoon of absinthe. Excellent— aromatic and very flavorful. The hints of cocoa from the Ramazzotti are extra delicious ⭐️

Curated slightly to clean up the capitalization. I don't know what <1:1:1> means for the syrup. Do you mean 1:1:1 water, sugar, and fruit?

Also, this drink sounds extremely sweet, even for a dessert drink. Aperol by itself is quite sweet, and 1:1 with the rye, adding 1/3 oz of syrup seems like a lot, no?

Cleaned up the syrup - I'm assuming you meant equal parts sugar, water and fruit. Moved instructions for the syrup to Notes. Oh, and should this be "Red Eye" instead of "Red Eyen"?

Thanks,

Zachary

red eyen is a synonym for alcohol or cock-tail. id like to hear what you think of it upon tasting. thanks again for the cocktail theory essay. making the lactart "agnostic monk" was a direct result of those readings. cheers

its a bit sweet.. also a bit bitter on the finish.... im not in love with peychauds for this but its more pleasing than my other on hand options. i actually literally ordered three more types of bitters yesterday just because of this beverage. but extremely sweet? no

I've got to pick up raspberries, but I think I'll try it this weekend. Interestingly enough, I picked up Lactart this week because of your drink - it's interesting stuff.

Thanks,

Zachary

the lactart is TONS of fun to play with, i am so glad you got it! i cant tell you how amused i was at first tasting the stuff..... i kept turning it over and over in my mind.... flavorless acidity... the possibilities! thank you again and again for your articles... honestly they were the direct inspiration for the drink i made with that substance. try it on a nice anejo margerita and watch how beautifully the flavor of the tequilla comes out without the lime. a half dash at a time and taste taste taste as you add. its so exciting to me watching flavors meld apart and back together when making drinks. its so much more fun than cooking! cheers!