Rusty Nail

Though the modern version of this classic calls for equal parts, earlier versions were drier, calling for substantially more Scotch. This is where you'll start.

Drunk Uncle (Scotch and Cynar Cocktail)

Peaty Scotch, such as Laphroaig, gives this drink a woodsy character that's emphasized by swapping the standard Campari for Cynar, a vegetal, bittersweet liqueur.

Modern Cocktail No. 2

The Modern Cocktail No. 2 shows how wonderfully blended scotch can work in a cocktail. As written in the Savoy Cocktail Book from 1930, the Modern #2 matches the smooth richness of blended scotch with the sharp tang of sloe gin, with dashes of absinthe, grenadine and bitters lending additional complexity.

Blood and Sand

Scotch, orange, and sweet vermouth: An unlikely-sounding trio that come together flawlessly.

The Arnaud's Special

With the advance of autumn, it's time to break out the dark-spirit drinks suitable to the cooler seasons. The Arnaud's Special is a close cousin to the Rob Roy, and was the house cocktail for Arnaud's Restaurant in New Orleans during the 1940s and '50s.

The Chancellor Cocktail

The Chancellor is a close relative of another scotch cocktail, the Rob Roy, with a couple of interesting twists. In place of the Rob Roy's bittersweet tang from Italian vermouth, the Chancellor relies on the robust richness of port, its gentle sweetness tempered by a little dry vermouth.

Old Fashioned Cocktail

The classic Old Fashioned cocktail features little more than whiskey, sugar, and bitters. Done right, it's a perfectly balanced, timeless crowd-pleaser.

Rob Roy

The simple Manhattan variation is improved greatly with the help of fresh vermouth and a good blended Scotch.

Old Pal

A cousin to the Boulevardier, balancing whiskey and Campari with dry vermouth.

Irish Cocktail

This classic drink is similar to the Improved Holland Gin Cocktail, but uses Irish whiskey instead of malty genever.