kentucky proper

1 1/2 oz Old Weller Antique Bourbon
3/4 oz Lemon Juice
1/2 oz Simple Syrup
1 dash Fee's Whiskey Barrel Aged Bitters
Leaves of 2 Mint Sprigs

Shake with ice and double strain into a cocktail glass. Top with 1 oz dry sparkling wine, stir briefly, and garnish with a spanked mint leaf.

Two Mondays ago, we paid a visit to Bergamot for cocktails. The drink I asked bartender Paul Manzelli about was the Kentucky Proper off of the cocktail menu; Paul described the libation as their Bourbon take on the rum-based Old Cuban. Since the original is so delightful, I gave the thumbs up to the idea.
The Kentucky Proper offered up mint and Bourbon notes on the nose. The carbonated wine, lemon, and whiskey malt notes filled the sip and led into Bourbon and mint flavors on the swallow. Overall, the Kentucky Proper was reminiscent of a lighter, crisper Whiskey Smash à la Eastern Standard.