paper trail

1 1/2 oz Bourbon (Four Roses)
1 oz Aperol
3/4 oz Salers Gentiane Liqueur

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

Two Friday's ago, I was flipping through the January/February issue of Imbibe Magazine and spotted the Paper Trail. The recipe was created by Colin Shearn who recently left the Franklin Mortgage & Investment Co. in Philadelphia to help open St. Charles Exchange, the Franklin's sister establishment in Louisville. With Bourbon and Aperol in the mix, I could not help but wonder if the Paper Trail was influenced by Sam Ross' Paper Plane; however, the Paper Trail uses Salers Gentiane Liqueur in place of the Paper Plane's Amaro Nonino and lemon as well as different proportions.
The Paper Trail offered up a grapefruit oil and Aperol aroma. A malty sip shared Aperol's orange-rhubarb flavors, and the swallow presented the Bourbon and the Salers' bitter gentian softened by the Aperol. The grapefruit twist was indeed a good choice for the Salers and the Aperol synthesized a grapefruit-like impression.