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.