poker face

1/2 jigger Sherry (1 1/2 oz Lustau East India Solera)
1/4 Brandy (3/4 oz La Forêt)
2 dash Lemon Juice (1/2 oz)
1 dash Green Chartreuse (1/4 oz)
1 dash Angostura Bitters

Stir with ice and strain into a cocktail glass.

For an aperitif two Saturdays ago, I searched in the wine section of Pioneers of Mixing at Elite Bars: 1903-1933 and spotted the curiously named Poker Face (I am already expecting a Lady Gaga reference in the comments). For a sherry, I opted for Lustau's East India Solera Sherry for I felt that it split the difference between our dry ones like the Lustau Oloroso and Amontillado and our sweet Pedro Ximénez and that it would work best here.
The Poker Face showcased the sherry's grape along with the Green Chartreuse's herbal aromas. The grape continued on into the sip where it paired with the lemon. Finally, the sherry's nutty notes began the swallow that ended with brandy flavors and Chartreuse and Angostura's herbal complexity. Overall, the balance ended up a touch on the tart side which did assist its aperitif purpose.