artist special (variation)

1 oz Soberano Spanish Brandy
1 oz Valdespino Palo Cortado Sherry
1/2 oz Lemon Juice
1/4 oz Grenadine

Stir with ice and strain into a cocktail glass.
The last drink that I had at Straight Law was a variation on the whisky-based Artist Special that first appeared in the Savoy Cocktail Book. The book provided the history of, "This is the genuine ‘Ink of Inspiration’ imbibed at the Bal Bullier Paris. The recipe is from the Artists Club, Rue Pigalle, Paris." The three major changes from the classic were swapping the whisky base to Spanish brandy, changing from the hard to find (but not impossible to make) groseille syrup to grenadine, and stirring instead of shaking this citrus-laden libation. To compare and contrast, Sean also made me an Old Overholt Rye version to see what the Spanish brandy brings to the table.
The Artist Special shared a fruity aroma from the grenadine and sherry, and this element was greater in the brandy version than in the rye one. A grenadine, lemon, and grape sip shifted to a smooth and elegant sherry and brandy swallow. I have to assume that the stirring instead of shaking change played a role in making this a more contemplative sipper.