caveat emptor

1 oz Plantation OFTD Overproof Rum
1 oz Lustau East India Solera Sherry (*)
1/2 oz Benedictine
1/2 oz Cynar
1 dash Mole Bitters (Bittermens)

Stir with ice, strain into a Campari-rinsed cocktail coupe, and garnish with a grapefruit twist.
(*) An Amontillado or Oloroso will work here in a pinch but will come across as a little drier and lacking light raisiny notes. Lustau's cream sherry is a mix of Oloroso with a little Pedro Ximenez.

Two Wednesdays ago, I recalled Maks Pazuniak's Warning Label from the 2011 Beta Cocktails book and was inspired to riff on it. I subbed out the 151 proof Demerara rum and Punt e Mes for Plantation OFTD and Lustau's East India Solera Sherry, respectively, for starters. I also split the Cynar with Benedictine as drinks like the Filthy Rich and Chachita were still fresh in my mind. Finally, instead of the grapefruit bitters, I utilized mole bitters and replaced the grapefruit notes by swapping out the lemon twist with a grapefruit one, and I kept Maks' original Campari rinse intact.For a name, I dubbed this one the Caveat Emptor which means that the buyer is responsible for assessing the quality and suitability before purchasing the goods. In the glass, the Caveat Emptor met the nose with an offer of grapefruit, smoky, chocolate, and bitter orange aromas. Next, a grape and caramel sip approved of the funky rum, vegetal, herbal, and bitter orange flavors on the swallow.