5 Scotch Whiskies For A Deliciously Honeyed Rusty Nail Cocktail

A lot of chances are you’ll not have come throughout The Rusty Nail in your cocktail explorations. Nevertheless, the drink, which was popularized within the Fifties in New York, has skilled one thing of a renaissance in recent times.  

So, within the curiosity of reviving (or maybe igniting) your love for The Rusty Nail, listed below are 5 scotch whiskies that create excellent honeyed concord on this easy concoction. 

How To Make A Rusty Nail Cocktail

The recipe for The Rusty Nail could be very easy to comply with: 

You may go 1:1 with Drambuie and blended whisky. Or you possibly can go 2:1, leaning somewhat heavier on the whisky facet of it. We’re going to lean on the heavier pours for our suggestions beneath, however please see the method beneath as a way to make the drink. 

Recipe:

• 2oz of whisky of your alternative. 
• 1oz of Drambuie. (Use roughly relying in your love of sweetness) – Lemon peel or wedge for garnish 

Methodology: 

1. You may construct this in a glass or a mixing jug, however for the sake of ease, let’s construct it within the glass. Fill your glass of alternative with ice and pour the whisky and Drambuie into the glass. 
2. Stir the contents till the ice begins to loosen and the glass turns into a condensate.
3. Spray the oils of a lemon peel into the glass and throw them into the drink. Or garnish with a wedge of lemon. 

Aberfeldy 12 12 months Previous

BUY NOW: $25

This Aberfeldy single malt is the definition of a candy, approachable, and easy-drinking fashion of highland whisky. When you’re a fan of honey, then this combined with some Drambuie goes to be a full sensory explosion by means of a beehive. Balancing it out with the lemon peel in your Rusty Nail cocktail will add some lightness to the wealthy, opulent honey notes that push by means of. 

Caol Ila 12 12 months Previous

BUY NOW: $59.99

With regards to all issues smoky then you possibly can go as peaty as you need, however I believe with a drink like this you desire a respectable stage of stability, with not an excessive amount of sweetness from issues like sherry casks, and many others. 

Caol Ila does have peatiness to it, nevertheless it at all times comes throughout as somewhat sweeter and creamier than a few of its Islay counterparts. I’m not saying this wouldn’t be a enjoyable drink with some Laphroaig in it, however that’s by the by. 

The honeyed high quality of the Drambuie with this softer kind of Islay smoke could possibly be an ideal mixture for a Smoky Nail, which is extra generally made by placing mescal into the combination. 

Highland Park 15 12 months Previous

BUY NOW: $83.52

We are able to’t discuss honey notes and never convey within the traditional Orkney fashion of Highland Park. I’m not going for the 12 12 months Previous. That might work, however I believe that for our Rusty Nail cocktail, we wish one thing with somewhat extra complexity to it, enter Highland Park 15 12 months Previous! 

This whisky is already layered with honey, espresso, and dark chocolate notes. Nevertheless, the addition of what’s basically boozy sugar syrup in Drambuie can take this complete cocktail to a unique stage. 

Regardless that we’re utilizing an older, peated whisky, this mixture of flavors ought to ship us straight into dessert trolley heaven, with a twang of culinary smoke besides. 

Loch Lomond 14 12 months Previous

BUY NOW: $69.99 

I’ve spoken about this whisky a lot previously that evidently I’ll as effectively connect it to each article I write. However I attempted this out final evening and thought it was a relatively excellent drink that ought to be on everybody’s lips at the very least as soon as. 

Loch Lomond 14 12 months Previous is an oddity because it tastes gently smoky with out having any precise peat inside the liquid itself. The ending course of that takes place in some closely charred French oak from Limousin actually takes you on a taste journey right here. 

The whisky begins off with some tender sweetness, nearly toffee-like, the longer you maintain it in your pallet it takes you from candy to savory, to spicy, again to candy, after which it finishes with this splendidly delicate smoke. 

he addition of Drambuie to this amplified the sweetness and texture, however nonetheless allowed that little glimpse of smoke to come back by means of. This Rusty Nail cocktail has complexity such as you wouldn’t imagine. 

Oban 14 12 months Previous/Oban Distiller’s Version

BUY NOW: $59.95/$80.99

I really feel like Oban doesn’t actually get spoken about sufficient. Sure, there have been some relatively important worth will increase – however that hasn’t impacted the model’s promoting energy. 

Oban is a whisky that claims it might probably do every little thing, and it does, type of. It’s at all times jogged my memory of apples, malt biscuits, and chocolate. Regardless that there may be some smoke to it, it isn’t the main profile of the liquid. 

Then we get onto the Distiller’s Version which, it doesn’t matter what classic, consistently simply smells of peach. I’ve no concept why and the way a Fino sherry completed Oban smells like peaches, however I prefer it and would put on it as fragrance if I may. 

The addition of all of this stuff, with a comparatively decrease ABV and depth of flavors in comparison with a number of the others on this checklist present for fairly the wholesome dessert different.

Peaches, honey, oak spice, malty biscuits, and chocolate all world their means into offering you with this glorious boozy hug of a Rusty Nail cocktail.

The Historical past of The Rusty Nail Cocktail 

The Rusty Nail cocktail, a traditional Scottish-inspired drink, emerged within the mid-Twentieth century, combining scotch whisky with Drambuie, a liqueur created from whisky, honey, herbs, and spices. The origins of the Rusty Nail are considerably contested, with some attributing its creation to the 1937 British Industries Truthful in New York, the place it was allegedly served to rejoice Scottish exports. Additionally it is stated that The Rusty Nail was created in a Hawaiian bar in 1942. 

The drink gained widespread reputation within the Fifties and 60s, thanks partially to its adoption by the Rat Pack, together with Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin.

The cocktail’s title is claimed to derive from its robust, sturdy character, evoking the picture of one thing as sturdy as a rusty nail. Over time, it has grow to be a logo of sophistication and ease, celebrated for its clean, barely candy, and natural notes, completely balancing the boldness of scotch with the sweetness of Drambuie.