a simple quandry

1 oz Uncle Val's Gin (North Shore #6)
1 oz North Shore Aquavit (Krogstad)
1/2 oz Punt e Mes
1/2 oz Benedictine
2 dash Regan's Orange Bitters

Stir with ice and strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with a lemon twist.

Two Tuesdays ago, I spotted an interesting drink on the ShakeStir website by Scott Diaz, the beverage manager for Elliott's Oyster House in Seattle. Scott's recipe, A Simple Quandry, was a finalist for the Uncle Val's Gin competition as well as making Gaz Regan's 101 Drinks list just a few days ago. I was intrigued by the drink for it reminded me of a light-spirited 1919 Cocktail.
The lemon twist on A Simple Quandry brightened the grape and caraway aroma. The Punt e Mes' grape was the most notable flavor on the sip, for most of the flavor was packed into the swallow. That swallow showcased the gin's juniper, Punt e Mes' complex bitter notes, Benedictine's chocolate-like herbal flavor, and the aquavit's caraway and anise.