assembly cocktail

3/4 oz Pierre Ferrand Ambre Cognac
3/4 oz Grant "La Garrocha" Amontillado Sherry
3/4 oz Drambuie
3/4 oz Lemon Juice
1/2 barspoon Honey Syrup

Shake with ice and strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with an orange twist.

Thursday last week, I found my way over to Bergamot where bartenders Paul Manzelli and Kai Gagnon were working. After requesting the Assembly Cocktail on the menu, I asked Kai if the drink was in reference to a Somerville landmark, namely Assembly Square, akin to their Beacon Fix. While Paul was amused by that suggestion and expressed a fondness for what the Assembly Square Mall used to be, Kai commented that it was merely an assembly of three different nations' spirits.
The Assembly Cocktail greeted my nose with lemon juice, orange oil, and sherry notes. The lemon and honey sip contained some of the sherry's grape flavors. The sherry shone through more on the swallow where it joined the Cognac and Drambuie's Scotch notes on the rather smooth finish. Overall, the Assembly Cocktail reminded me of a remixed Hoop La albeit with less citrus and more delightful honey, whisky, and nutty grape notes.