The Rusty Nail is a classic cocktail that some consider TOO classic. Associated with dusty bookshelves, mothballs, and just about every single one of those WASP-ish pricks in that one social club in Trading Places.
However, if you’ve ever tried the original 50/50 rate of Drambuie to scotch, then you’ve probably been put off by the flavors.
(While we don’t discuss it here, we can’t recommend David Wondrich’s wonderful suggestion of 2 oz scotch to .5 oz Drambuie enough. It tempers the cloying sweetness of the Drambuie and makes a much more enjoyable Rusty Nail.)
Like any of the other classics, it’s just begging to be tweaked, bastardized, and turned into a shambling, lurching zombie of its former self. This variation uses a single malt Islay (we like Ardbeg 10) in place of the recommended blended scotch, giving it a heavier, smokier flavor, and adds just a bit of Tawny port to deepen the sweetness and add a few more layers of flavor.
The Prego Enferrujado gets its name from the Portuguese phrase for Rusty Mail.
- 2 oz Ardbeg 10 Years Old Single Malt Islay Scotch
- 1 oz Drambuie
- 1 oz Cockburn 20 Year Tawny Port
- Lemon twist for garnish
Place an ice ball in a rocks glass, then pour the ingredients over the top. Stir well, and then place the lemon twist at the bottom of the glass. Serve.
Prego Enferrujado ®2015 Mark Vierthaler/Cocktails, 365
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