The Old Excise House
Ease into Scotch through cocktails. This cocktail is inspired by our May 2018 trip to Isle of Islay, Scotland. We stayed just outside of Port Ellen in a tiny house next to a B&B, The Old Excise House. The accommodations were amazing and you just can’t beat a view of farmland and the ocean as you’re walking between distilleries (Laphroaig, Lagavulin, and Ardbeg are all within a 3 mile walk of the B&B).
Yield: 1 cocktail
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Ingredients
2 oz. smoky Islay Scotch (such as one from Laphroaig, Lagavulin, or Ardbeg)
0.75 oz. Madeira
0.75 oz. ginger liqueur (we recommend St. Louis’ own, Big “O” Ginger Liqueur)*
0.25 oz. fresh lemon juice
0.25 oz. amaro (Cynar recommended)**
1 lemon for a lemon twist garnish
Instructions
Combine all liquid ingredients in a pint glass or small pitcher. Top with ice and stir with a bar spoon, about 20 seconds. Strain into a glass, preferably a coupe glass.
Form the lemon twist by running the peeler from end to end of the lemon (try to peel just the zest, leaving the bulk of the white pith on the lemon). Twist the lemon peel over the top of cocktail to release the lemon oils onto the drink. Rest the lemon peel on the rim of the glass or set into the cocktail.
If you’d prefer to enjoy the cocktail on the rocks, as opposed to up, strain the cocktail into a highball glass, top with ice, and garnish as above.
Jeff McDonald, 2018, McZ Manor
Notes
*If you can’t find Big “O” Ginger Liqueur, Canton Ginger Liqueur will work as well.
**Another good option for an amaro would be Rieger’s Caffè Amaro. If you’re really in a pinch though, you could also just use Angostura Bitters.
