Whisky Cocktail: Lowland Holiday Scotch Sour

When I was reviewing the McClelland’s Lowland Single Malt Whisky,  I was at a bit lost as to which path to take in constructing a cocktail. The whisky taste profile was more bitter than I was accustomed to, and I found it difficult to wrap my head around a tasty bar drink. So I took my problem to my good friend forrest. He noted that the bitter tastes I detected on my palate would actually work very well in certain “sour” styles cocktails. Then he came up with this sterling recommendation:

Lowland Holiday Scotch Sour
(a cocktail recommendation from forrest)

1 1/2 oz  Lowland Scotch Whisky
3/4 oz cherry liqueur
1/4 oz sweet vermouth
1 oz fresh lemon juice
1/2 egg white
Shake in iced cocktail shaker & strain
Serve in a cocktail glass

Add lemon wedge for garnish

As usual forrest is far more astute than I in the construction of cocktails, and I do not believe I can improve on this recommendation so I will heartily endorse it.  Please visit forrest’s great blog for more reviews and cocktail expressions.

I developed a variation on this recipe which I consider to be my signature Lowland Scotch recipe, I call it the Lowland Style:

Lowland Style:

1 1/2 oz  Lowland Scotch Whisky
1/2 oz Cherry Whiskey
1/4 oz dry vermouth
3/4 oz fresh lemon juice
dash Angostura Bitters
(sugar syrup to taste)

Shake in iced cocktail shaker until frosted
Strain into a suitable glass

Add lemon wedge for garnish
Enjoy!