Rusty Nail -- Variation #2

Some folks look sideways at the Rusty Nail, and I get it; made with the wrong components, it can be a bit blunt. My approach favors balance over brute force, which is why I build this drink with these specific bottles. We start with Monkey Shoulder, a blended malt Scotch that brings a creamy, malty character without any aggressive smoke, creating a perfect foundation for a home bar stocked with versatile craft spirits. Then comes the Drambuie, providing its signature honeyed sweetness and a subtle herbal complexity that hooks right into the whisky. These are the exact cocktail ingredients I use because they create a better, more nuanced version of the classic two-bottle cocktail. As Anders Erickson, I've curated this collection for the House of Bitter Bear spirits to make building great drinks straightforward. A bright zip from a lemon peel over the top cuts through the richness, and you're left with a truly satisfying sipper.