Golden Hornet (Copper Hornet variation)

I've made this rocks drink with sherry before, but never with Amontillado sherry and never with American single malts. I'm back to using my gifts from Copper Fox to show what different directions these spirits can go.

Vir Gin gin and the Wasmund Single Malt whiskey mix very well together because they are made from the same single malted barley. The Wasmund malt is smoked with cherry and apple wood so it has the mouthfeel and nose of a robust scotch without the peat. It was an easy choice to ditch the carmel-tasting blend I used before (and the overly sweet blend of sherry). Now it is more reserved, a little more cohesive as a cocktail, since whiskey and gin don't usually mix so well.

• 2 oz. gin (Copper Fox Vir Gin used)
• 1/2 oz. scotch (Wasmund single malt used)
• 1/2 oz. amontillado sherry
• lemon twist

Combine gin and sherry in a mixing glass with ice. Stir and strain into an Old Fashioned glass full of fresh ice. Float scotch on top and add lemon twist garnish.

Valencia Cocktail

Valencia is a large city on Spain's east coast. This cocktail is a little more refined than the Straight Law Cocktail with a bit more gin and a twist. It's the perfect size for a coupe glass.

Vir Gin, a gin that Copper Fox distillery gave me to play with, has a wonderfully malty and rich body that comes with its all single malt barley base. There's a ton of botanicals in it as well, including basil, rosemary, nutmeg, ginger, black pepper and lemongrass. It goes well with a little nutty and rich Amontillado sherry.

• 2 oz. gin (Copper Fox Vir Gin used)
• 1 oz. Amontillado sherry (Lustau Los Arcos)
• lemon twist

Combine gin and sherry in a mixing glass with ice. Stir and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a twist of lemon. 

Straight Law Cocktail

The name of this cocktail suggests that this drink belongs to the "Judge" category of cocktails. These are usually a clear spirit served up with juices or wines. On second look, though, this is a simple stirred cocktail designed to spread out the rich nutty flavor of Amontillado sherry.

I chose to use ImaGination gin that MurLarkey Distillery gave me because it has a deep earthy character. You mostly notice the large proportion of sherry in this drink, but that one ounce of ImaGination comes through with botanicals like grains of paradise.

• 3 oz. Amontillado sherry Lustau Los Arcos used)
• 1 oz. gin (MurLarkey ImaGination gin used)

Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass with ice. Stir and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.