left hand of darkness

1 1/2 oz Jim Beam Black Bourbon
3/4 oz oz Carpano Antica Sweet Vermouth (*)
1/2 oz Campari
1/4 oz Cynar

Build in a rocks glass, add ice, and stir to mix and chill.
(*) here, it was a combination of Contratto Rosso and Dolin Rouge sweet vermouths.

After my shift two Sundays ago, I was in need of a stiff drink or two before facing my dying feline companion, Marconi named after the Marconi Wireless. In between work and home was the perfect spot, Backbar, where I found a seat in front of bartenders Josh Cross and Kat Lamper. For a first drink, I asked Josh for the Left Hand of Darkness that was a Boulevardier riff subtitled, "so balanced you won't know what to think." Kat Lamper later explained her creation as being a tribute to Ursula Le Guin and her book of the same name, as well as being a riff on Milk and Honey and Little Branch's Left Hand (but darker from the Cynar).
The Left Hand of Darkness began with a dark malt and grape aroma that led into a grape and caramel sip. Next, whiskey, smoky char, and bitter orange on the swallow finished with funky herbal notes from the Cynar.