Substitute brandy for cognac?

[silenus]

@Gray_Ghost

Silenus, I would’ve thought Armagnac would’ve had too much character for the use Johnny L.A. wants. Though I’ve not had a Vieux Carré and maybe the added oomph makes it better?

This is where the fun happens. We have no idea the quality of ingredients Johnny L.A. has on hand, so he’ll have to experiment and report back his findings. First with E&J, then with something with a bit more character.

For Science!

[Johnny_L.A]

@silenus

We have no idea the quality of ingredients Johnny L.A. has on hand…

Bulleit Rye
B&B DOM Benedictine liqueur
Martini & Rossi sweet vermouth (Also Trader Joe’s sweet vermouth)
Peychaud’s bitters
Angostura bitters.

[silenus]

E&J ought to be fine in that cocktail.

If I was going to advance the drink from Double AA to Triple A, I’d use Dolin sweet vermouth instead of the Martini & Rossi. But that’s just me.

[Pork_Rind]

Here’s a vermouth PSA for all lovers of fine drink… vermouth is just an aromatized wine, not a true spirit. And just like wine, it goes bad once opened. Keep it in the fridge once opened, and figure on a three month shelf life.

How Long Does Vermouth Last? - Drinkhacker

[Johnny_L.A]

@silenus

E&J ought to be fine in that cocktail.

If I was going to advance the drink from Double AA to Triple A, I’d use Dolin sweet vermouth instead of the Martini & Rossi. But that’s just me.

Thanks.

Sweet vermouth seems to be somewhat limited here. I’ve only seen Martini & Rossi (which I understand is the world’s most popular brand) at Bevmo! and the little liquor store down the beach. The supermarkets seem to only carry Gallo. Trader Joe’s has Sole brand. Granted, I’ve only started looking for sweet vermouth; but IME choices are limited here. I found this page. It says Gallo is for when you can’t find anything else. Sole (D’Aquino) is slightly better. Martini & Rossi is ‘tasty and reliable’ and ‘best bang for the buck’.

Anyway, I picked up a bottle of E&J brandy (the only brand they had at Rite-Aid, $13 I think) yesterday.

[bump]

@Johnny_L.A

Thanks.

Sweet vermouth seems to be somewhat limited here. I’ve only seen Martini & Rossi (which I understand is the world’s most popular brand) at Bevmo! and the little liquor store down the beach. The supermarkets seem to only carry Gallo. Trader Joe’s has Sole brand. Granted, I’ve only started looking for sweet vermouth; but IME choices are limited here. I found this page. It says Gallo is for when you can’t find anything else. Sole (D’Aquino) is slightly better. Martini & Rossi is ‘tasty and reliable’ and ‘best bang for the buck’.

Anyway, I picked up a bottle of E&J brandy (the only brand they had at Rite-Aid, $13 I think) yesterday.

Nothing wrong with Martini & Rossi- it’s solid if unspectacular. If you want a sweet vermouth that will raise your game, get a bottle of Carpano Antica. Basically it’s a sweet vermouth with a flavor profile that doesn’t get lost under rye whiskey and bitters.

[Pork_Rind]

@bump

Nothing wrong with Martini & Rossi- it’s solid if unspectacular. If you want a sweet vermouth that will raise your game, get a bottle of Carpano Antica. Basically it’s a sweet vermouth with a flavor profile that doesn’t get lost under rye whiskey and bitters.

Here are the regulars that I get at the BevMo down the street. Carpano Antica is my go-to, with the Cocchi being my standby alternate.

[ul]
[li]Carpano Antica - very rich, complex, sweet with only moderate bitterness[/li][li]Punt e Mes - quite bitter but balanced with a strong sweetness[/li][li]Cocchi Vermouth de Torino - complex and pungent in a good way, maybe not as sweet as Antica[/li][li]Vya - much more bitter without being overwhelming, works with rye or high-rye bourbons[/li][/ul]