Episode 051

The “New” Toronto Cocktail

Now, in our research, we also came across what’s being billed as the “new” Toronto cocktail recipe, and this involves:

• 1 ½ oz Bourbon
• ½ oz sweet vermouth
• ¼ oz honey syrup
• 1 bar spoon of Fernet
• Orange peel garnish

We don’t find that the honey syrup or the sweet vermouth really add much in the new recipe, but one takeaway here is that it’s 100% okay to sub out the Canadian whiskey for bourbon, and in fact, that’s the way you’ll see it served at many of the best cocktail bars, partially because excellent Canadian whisky still isn’t as commercially available compared to the cheaper brands.

The beauty of this cocktail is that it’s a really great way to start easing your way into Fernet without blasting yourself in the face with bitterness. You’ve still got that familiar old fashioned as your constant – the only thing that’s different is you’re adding a little flair and a little bitterness. If you find that even a quarter ounce is too much, back down to a bar spoon and then work your way up from there as you get more accustomed to the bitterness.

In this episode, we tasted five different bourbons in order of ascending proof. We discussed some features of their mash bills, as well as the flavor profiles and cocktail applications of each.

How to Taste Bourbon

• Before tasting, make note of the color and aroma of the bourbon.
• Try to avoid sticking your nose right in the glass to avoid desensitizing your olfactory receptors
• Inhale with your mouth slightly open to activate your retronasal smell receptors
• If you’re tasting a high proof bourbon, consider adding a few drops of

Four Roses Small Batch (45% ABV / 90 Proof)

This bourbon is a really solid purchase at around $30-$40, depending on your location.

It’s great for making cocktails, but it’s also an extremely solid sipping whiskey either straight or on the rocks.

Tasting Notes:

• Vanilla throughout
• Honey
• Sweet oats
• Dark Cherry
• Apricot
• Brown sugar on the finish

Recommended Cocktail Pairing – The slight cherry note in this bourbon points us in the direction of a nice bourbon Manhattan. Use a brighter sweet vermouth (Dolin or Carpano Antica), and opt for the orange twist garnish instead of a brandied cherry to see if those cherry notes still come through.

CC Attributions

Featured Cocktail Background Music

Backbay Lounge Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/