bolt from the blue

1 oz Tequila (Olmeca Altos)
1 oz Mezcal (Del Maguey Vida)
3/4 oz Averna
1/4 oz Benedictine
1 dash Angostura Bitters

Stir with ice and strain into a rocks glass with ice; no garnish was specified but a lemon or orange twist would work here.Two Wednesdays ago, I spotted a recipe from online flashcards for the Bolt from the Blue, and I was able to trace the recipe to the Ironside Fish & Oyster Bar in San Diego via a 2019 article in San Diego Magazine. The combination of agave spirits, Averna, Benedictine, and bitters reminded me of Misty Kalkofen's Beneficio de Café, so I was intrigued. In the glass, the Bolt from the Blue donated a vegetal, caramel, and light smoke aromas to the nose. Next, Averna's caramel filled the sip, and the swallow followed up with smoky agave, herbal, and clove flavors.