rue morgue

2 oz Old Pulteney 12 Year Scotch
3/4 oz Ruby Port
1/2 oz Benedictine
1/4 oz Crème de Cacao

Stir with ice and strain into a coupe glass.

For my second cocktail at Tavern Road, I requested from John Henderson the Rue Morgue. John explained that it was his creation, and how he had wanted to name a drink after an Iron Maiden song for so long but the rest of the staff would not let him until then. I had associated the drink name with the Edgar Allen Poe story (which is perhaps how John had snuck it on the menu), and that would have been solidified if the Poe-esque amontillado was the fortified wine in the mix. However, it was port which often pairs rather well with Scotch, such as in the Chancellor.
The Rue Morgue proffered a chocolate, herbal, and smoke bouquet. A rich grape and malt sip led into a smoky swallow which gained a chocolate and herbal finish as it warmed up.