proof of heart

1 oz Cognac (Courvoisier VS)
3/4 oz Bourbon (Evan Williams Bonded)
3/4 oz Aperol
1/2 oz Carpano Sweet Vermouth (Alessio)
2 dash Orange Bitters (Angostura Orange)

Stir with ice, strain into an old fashioned glass with ice, and garnish with a lemon twist. Two Wednesdays prior, I stumbled back to the online recipe flashcards for the New Orleans-themed Club 33 at Disneyland in Anaheim. There, I was drawn in by the Proof of Heart where the Aperol-sweet vermouth modifier duo that worked well in the Contessa with gin, Pulitzer with rye, and Dolores Haze with tequila, seemed curious with a split base of Cognac and Bourbon. In the glass, the Proof of Heart shared a lemon and dark grape bouquet. Next, grape and orange notes on the sip evolved into Cognac, whiskey, bitter orange, and rhubarb flavors on the swallow.