mum's the word

1 1/2 oz Dolin Blanc Vermouth
3/4 oz Suze Gentian Liqueur (Salers)
1/2 oz Benedictine
1/2 oz Mezcal (Montelobos)
2 dash Orange Bitters (Regan's)

Stir with ice, strain into an absinthe-rinsed coupe (Herbsaint), and garnish with lemon oil.

Two Saturdays ago, I turned to Food & Wine: Cocktails 2015 and spotted the Mum's the Word. I was quite surprised that this creation by Shannon Ponche of Manhattan's Mayahuel was not a Last Word variation like the Word to Your Mom. Instead, it was a blanc vermouth-driven aperitif or shim (although the Benedictine besides the mezcal is also rather proofy).
The Mum's the Word began with lemon, anise, and white grape aromas. The grape continued on in the sweet sip, and the swallow gave forth herbal, smoke, floral, and earthy flavors with a light anise finish.