Blackwatch / Mint Sunrise

The Blackwatch is the black-clad ancient military order that serves as a sort of border guard for the country. They've been involved in almost every conflict that Scotland has faced for centuries. This drink is a good dedication to their efforts with a single highland malt from the Black Isle (a peninsula in the Morry Firth of northern Scotland. Dalmore is rich in orange/ marmalade flavors from sherry cask maturation. Catoctin Creek 1757 brandy is also a rich American brandy that is aged in French wine barrels. Together they make an unstoppable rocks sipper that is only garnished with mint and lemon as scent accents.

The Mint Sunrise is the exact same recipe, and I imagine it comes from the image of a round lemon slice rising above the glass. Still, it is much more of a Scottish drink than something consumed by Aerosmith at some roadhouse (i.e. Tequila Sunrise).

• 1 1/2 oz. scotch (Dalmore 12 used)
• 1/2 oz. brandy (Catoctin Creek 1757 used)
• 1/2 oz. curacao
• lemon slice
• mint sprig

Combine liquid ingredients in a mixing glass with ice. Stir and strain into an Old Fashioned glass with fresh ice. Garnish with a lemon slice and mint sprig.

Rob Roy (Revisited)

I feel I did a poor job of the Rob Roy in the past. Just having the ingredients present in a glass does not do justice to the drink itself. For one thing, this drink is really improved by good scotch, quality vermouth, and real orange bitters. Here's my quick orange bitters recipe as a bonus:

Nate's Orange Bitters

• Peel of one orange
• 2 oz. 100 proof vodka
• several seeds of coriander, fennel and cloves
• 1/2 oz. Campari
• 1/2 oz. Meletti Amaro (or other bitter)
• 1/2 oz. Picon Biere (or flat Pepsi) for color

Infuse in a small container for a week or more. Strain into a clean bottle with an airtight lid.

Next, the drink itself was very noteworthy. I like how Dalmore, as one of the sweetest tasting single malts, has hints of orange marmalade if you really look for it. Orange bitters make this more of a reality.

Rob Roy

• 2 oz scotch (Dalmore 12 used)
• 1/2 oz. sweet vermouth (Antica Formula used)
• several dashes of orange bitters
• maraschino cherry

Combine all ingredients except cherry in a shaker with ice. Stir or shake and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with the cherry.