The Churchill, Attempt Two

OK, let's make this work.

First, the Scotch I have is too brutal. I need a less smokey Scotch. The stuff I used before is Johnny Walker Black which I love to drink with a nice English or Balkan blend in my pipe, but otherwise it's too smokey. Here's the new recipe:

3 parts whisky (Gentleman Jack, oh so nice)
1 part lime
1 part sweet vermouth
1 part cointreau

Actual attempt:

1.75 oz gentleman jack
.75 lime
.75 cointreau
.75 sweet vermouth

Reaction:

Much better than attempt number one. The Gentleman Jack is not smokey, so it doesn't overwelm. It's also very wonderfully smooth, and lends that smoothness well to the rest of the drink. The lime is present and definately does not overwhelm. Perhaps it should be a touch sweeter. Consider for attempt three adding a lime garnish for a more fruity touch to the nose, and maybe a solitary dash of bitters. Possibly consider making it a hair sweeter, but hold off on that before you see what the bitters and lime slice does.

The Churchill, Attempt One

This was terrible. I tried the following recipe:

• 1 part scotch
• 1 part Cointreau
• 1 part Sweet Vermouth
• 1 part fresh lime juice

Shake in a shaker and pour into cocktail glass.

This did not work for me. Why? Well, all the ingredients were obliterated by the sheer smokiness of Johnny Walker Black, my Scotch of choice. It's too smokey for this thing. What to do?