carson

2/3 Rye Whiskey (1 3/4 oz Old Overholt)
1/3 Byrrh (3/4 oz)
1/12 Maraschino (1/4 oz Luxardo)
1 dash Picon Bitters (1/4 oz Torani Amer)

Stir with ice and strain into a cocktail glass; I added a lemon twist.
One of the recipes that I had spotted in Pioneers of Mixing at Elite Bars: 1903-1933 that called for Byrrh was the Carson which read much like a quinquina-for-vermouth version of the Brookyln Cocktail. Once stirred and strained two Thursdays ago, the Carson offered up lemon oil, nutty cherry, and hints of grape to the nose. Next, malt and grape came through on the sip, and the swallow presented rye with nutty cherry flavors flowing into orange ones; as the drink warmed up, the finish gained quinine and bitter orange notes. The end result reminded me a bit more of the Prospect Park than the Brooklyn, or perhaps it fell somewhere half way between the two.