If you can’t think of a more pleasant pastime than lounging in a vintage leather chair with a good book and an even better glass of Scotch Whisky, read on.
Sipping single malts neat is the classic measure of authentic whisky appreciation, but it’s not the only way — not even for purists. Always up to the challenge of taste-testing new spirits releases, Pursuitist presents our latest, greatest whisky discoveries, and how to sample each with a signature cocktail to satisfy your taste buds. Think beyond the Whisky Sour and Old Fashioned, and you will be rewarded.
The Spirit: The Singleton of Glendullan Single Malt Scotch – Aged 12 years
The Cocktail: Single Fix
1.5 oz The Singleton 12 Year Old
0.5 oz Fresh Lemon Juice
0.5 oz Black Peppercorn Syrup
Method: Add all ingredients into a shaker. Add ice and shake until chilled. Strain into a rocks glass and garnish with a sprinkle of ground black pepper and a lemon wheel.
The Spirit: Johnnie Walker Black Label – Blended Scotch Whisky — Aged 12 Years
The Cocktail: Scotch Sling
1.5 oz Johnnie Walker Black Label
0.75 oz Lemon Juice
0.75 oz 1:1 Simple Syrup
2 dashes Aromatic Bitters
Optional: Egg white for a foamy head
Method: Add all ingredients into a shaker with ice. Shake hard for 7-10 seconds, or double if you’re using egg white. If you’re using egg white, strain everything into a glass, remove the ice and shake again. Strain and serve neat or over ice in a rocks glass. Finish with a lemon peel garnish.
The Spirit: Buchanan’s Deluxe
The Cocktail: James Blackberry
1.5 oz Buchanan’s Deluxe
4-5 Blackberries, muddled
0.75 Honey Syrup (2 parts honey, 1 part water)
0.5 oz Chambord
0.75 oz Lemon Juice
Method: Lightly muddle 4-5 blackberries in a cocktail shaker. Add remaining ingredients and shake over ice. Double strain so seeds of the blackberries don’t leak through. Pour over crushed ice in a rocks glass. Garnish cocktail with mint bouquet and lemon zest.
The Spirit: Old Parr Blended Scotch Whisky – Aged 12 Years
The Cocktail: Old Parr Golden
1.5 oz Old Parr Aged 12 Years
1 oz Ginger Syrup
0.5 oz Lemon Juice
Top with Premium Club Soda
Method: Combine the syrup and lemon juice with Old Parr Aged 12 Years. Shake well and strain into a rocks glass over ice. Top with premium club soda and garnish with an orange wedge.
The Spirit: I.W. Harper Cabernet Cask Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
The Cocktail: Cab Cask Sour
1.5 oz I.W. Harper Cabernet Cask Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
75 oz Simple Syrup
75 oz Lemon Juice
25 oz California Cabernet
Method: Add I.W. Harper Cabernet Cask Reserve, simple syrup and lemon juice to a shaker with ice, shake until chilled. Pour into a rocks glass filled with large ice cubes. Top the cocktail with a wine float. Garnish with an orange slice and a Maraschino cherry.
