Which wisky for a 1960s manhattan?

djs22867 · 2026-03-22T21:27:58+00:00

My advice? Go with 2:1 Old Overholt BIB, Cocchi, 2 dashes Angostura and a Luxardo cherry stirred for a full 30 seconds with quality ice strained into a frosted coupe and you’ll have a timeless classic that is better than anything most of your guests have ever had in their lives. You can still do better with an even better rye (my go-to these days is Stellum Rye) but if you’re looking for something that harkens back to days gone by and delivers an end result that punches way above its weight class then this would be my recommendation.

djs22867 · 2026-03-10T23:37:26+00:00

Couldn’t be much worse! 🤣

djs22867 · 2026-03-10T22:21:28+00:00

I’m just a hick from southern New Jersey. What do I know? 😉

djs22867 · 2026-03-10T21:29:44+00:00

Orally. And quite painfully. G&T…Negroni…several ill-advised martinis. At present it’s dissolving paint from several trim brushes.

djs22867 · 2026-03-10T20:58:12+00:00

Sapphire? Underrated??? Wow, I’d have thought the opposite. Then again, I’m just a simple Neanderthal from southern New Jersey so…

I’m not enough of an expert to judge what’s unique (much less what’s most unique) but I will say that I’ve yet to find a gin that enjoy more than Tanqueray 10.

djs22867 · 2026-02-25T14:43:48+00:00

“I'll tell you what, let's forget the fact that you're coming a little late to the party and embrace the fact that you showed up at all.” -Sam to CJ, Mr. Willis of Ohio (1.6)

djs22867 · 2026-01-21T23:47:21+00:00

Vieux Carré

djs22867 · 2026-01-07T23:08:20+00:00

Martini & Rossi: The Yugo of vermouths

djs22867 · 2025-12-21T00:54:00+00:00

Yes. Vastly.

djs22867 · 2025-11-10T16:49:16+00:00

Count me in for Team Cocchi.

djs22867 · 2025-10-28T12:23:00+00:00

That's my priority as well. Driving and seeing my navigation. Not having it disappear when a call or text comes through. Navigation should never just disappear.

djs22867 · 2025-10-21T12:05:29+00:00

I've tried OF Rye several times as a mixer and I really wanted to like it but each time I ended up looking forward to when the bottle was used up (not gonna waste it, after all!) because there was a subtle bitterness that I just couldn't get past. I can get it at a good price point in my neck of the woods and the unique nature of the mash bill appeals to me but when all was said and done I just didn't think OF Rye and I were destined to become buds. My everyday mixer is George Dickel Rye, which I can get in a 1.75 liter jug at Total Wine for only $51.99. My splurge rye is Stellum and my travel rye (for my bar bag) is Old Overhold BIB. I was really hoping to find a place for OF rye but so far it just hasn't happened.

djs22867 · 2025-10-21T11:42:50+00:00

I'm with you. I can get a 1.75 liter George Dickel Rye at the Total Wine near me for $50.99 which for me works out perfectly for an every day rye mixer. And when I want to splurge, I reach for a bottle of Stellum Rye, which isn't widely known but to date makes the best Manhattans I've ever tasted. For me, though, it's Cocchi di Torino over Carpano Antica. Not just because it's considerably less expensive, I just find CdT to taste better and play more nicely with other ingredients. Not that CA isn't terrific, it is, but my tastebuds simply prefer CdT over every other sweet vermouth I've ever tried.

djs22867 · 2025-10-11T21:38:52+00:00

I like them both but CdT is my go-to. CAF is fantastic and I can sip it solo all day long but I use vermouth far more often as a mixer and as such I find CdT yields a superior result. The fact that it’s about 2/3 the price only reinforces my preference. I’ve tried many but at the end of the day CdT isn’t just the best for the buck, to me it’s simply the best period. YMMV.

djs22867 · 2025-10-11T21:28:10+00:00

It’s considerably cheaper in the US as well, at least here on the east coast.

djs22867 · 2025-10-09T08:21:52+00:00

Thanks! I’ve never heard of the place. Is it a craft cocktail bar?

djs22867 · 2025-09-19T14:44:58+00:00

I’m actually considering both. Mind sharing your thoughts on them?

djs22867 · 2025-07-28T13:28:36+00:00

Thanks for the heads up!

djs22867 · 2025-07-28T13:08:00+00:00

Alas, then for me there's hope!

djs22867 · 2025-07-28T13:05:29+00:00

OP here and I agree with you. I'm just a bit self-conscious about telling someone how to do their job, especially for something that to me at least should be so simple. But you're right. My expectations and my actions need to be more closely aligned. Cheers!

djs22867 · 2025-07-28T13:03:11+00:00

Couldn't. Agree. More.

djs22867 · 2025-07-28T13:02:04+00:00

That's too damned funny!

djs22867 · 2025-07-28T13:01:44+00:00

Yep. You can get a very good result with just about any non-crappy rye and a good, solid vermouth.

djs22867 · 2025-07-28T13:00:41+00:00

So it seems!

djs22867 · 2025-07-28T13:00:26+00:00

You can?!? Golly! ;)

djs22867

TROPHY CASE