I love to sip a good Scotch whiskey, neat or with a cube of ice. But as a rule, its flavors don’t play nicely with others. Aside from the venerable classic, the Rob Roy, there are very few Scotch-based cocktails out there.
But here’s an exception, and it’s a winner!
Absolutely perfect for autumn, its medium-dark flavors and colors, and spicy tang are warming and refreshing at the same time. According to Damon Boelte, its originator, they evoke the crisp air and fall leaves along the Hudson River Valley, where the Storm King Arts Center is located. Hence the name.
Be that as it may, the deal here is the drink itself, and you are going to love the complex flavors. Tangy, herbal Benedictine and smooth/sweet-ish nocino are out front, with the smoke and punch of the Scotch just peeking through.
Lovely! Sip a few and ease into the holidays.
Storm King
2 ounces blended Scotch whiskey
.5 ounce nocino
.25 ounce Benedictine
3 dashes Angostura bitters
Combine the ingredients iand stir or shake to get it frosty cold. Serve straight up.
A word on ingredients: You can use any Scotch you want to, but a medium-bodied blend with a bit of smoke/peat flavor works best. I used Johnnie Walker. Nocino is a walnut-based liquor from Italy and not well-known here. Similar in flavor and feel to a not-too-heavy amaro, it’s lovely to sip neat as a digestif, but it also works well in cocktails. A larger liquor store like Midtown or Total Wine will have one or maybe more to choose from.