the man comes around

1 1/2 oz Cynar
1/2 oz Sombra Mezcal (Peloton de la Muerte)
1/2 oz Spanish Brandy (Gran Duque D'Alba)
1 tsp Fernet Branca
1 dash Bittermens Mole Bitters

Stir with ice, strain into a rocks glass (with ice), and garnish with a mint sprig. I was recently sent a three pack of bottles that included the sherry-tinged Gran Duque D'Alba Grand Reserva Brandy, and I recalled a recipe from New York City bartender Rafa Garcia Febles that I had been wanting to make once I had a Spanish brandy in stock. The drink was The Man Comes Around circa 2013 via KindredCocktails. Rafa was inspired after having a mezcal-Cynar cocktail at Pouring Ribbons in Manhattan followed by hearing subway musicians on the ride home who played Johnny Cash covers. When he made it back to his home bar, he whipped this up as a nightcap and named it after one of the songs he had just heard. The recipe was alluring for it had the mezcal, brandy, and Cynar trio that I utilized in my Papa Was a Rodeo and enjoyed in the Witch Doctor. Here, the Man Comes Around broadcast a mint and caramel aroma to the senses. Next, caramel and grape notes on the sip flowed into brandy, herbal, vegetal, menthol, and smoke flavors on the swallow.