Here's your basic Manhattan:
4 parts rye whiskey
1 part sweet vermouth (sweet and dry for a perfect Manhattan, or just dry for a dry Manhattan)
a dash of bitters
a maraschino cherry
It seems a lot of places serve Makers Manhattans, but I am not much for Bourbon, and much less for Makers Mark. All things being equal, I like Scotch more than Bourbon, and thought the Rob Roy might be better. I was wrong. Peaty just doesn't jive with sweet vermouth, IMO.
Anyway, I was wondering if an Irish Whiskey might hit the middle ground? I like many Irish Whiskey's straight up. One of my buds makes very good Manhattans, but I know he always pulls out the stops on the Bourbon. -He belongs to a Whiskey club. I've never been able to reproduce that Manhattan at a bar.
Does anyone know how I might get a solid Manhattan at reasonably stocked a bar? Something I can always count on? Not as bright as Makers.
If you object to bourbon in general, a Canadian whiskey might be what you're looking for. While I wouldn't make a drink with it, I know lots of people do.
As for a scotch lover. Have you tried a Godfather? and I had a pretty solid love affair with that one for a while. 1 1/2 oz of Scotch and 3/4 oz of Amaretto, on the rocks. Tastes great and damn fun to order.
Damn. I want one now!
You have a bourbon you like?
It's just a drink that every once in a while is so damned tasty, but the ones I order always seem to fall all over the map.
I'll check out the Woodford. EDIT: Do you think it's too obvious that we are just Whiskey shills? :)