Argyll Cocktail

There's a bunch of scotch drinks I've been wanting to make from John J. Poister's New American Bartenders Guide. He has really developed a rich section on scotch cocktails that deserves a second or third exploration.

The name of Argyll Cocktail reminds me of the patterned socks, and the drink made with Barrelhound Scotch lives up to this reputation as a warming amalgam that is also soft on the tongue.

• 1 oz. scotch (Barrelhound pictured)
• 1 oz. calvados (Captain Applejack used)
• 1/2 oz. dry gin
• 1 tsp. heather honey or sugar syrup (lavender honey used)
• lemon twist

I had problems with the recipe instructions as written so I recommend these steps in order to get the honey to dissolve into the drink.

1. Add honey and scotch to a room-temperature highball or Old Fashioned glass. 
2. Stir the honey mixture until the honey dissolves completely into the scotch. 
3. Add ice and other liquors and stir gently until cooled.
4. Garnish with a lemon twist.