Having a fondness for Nashville and therefore nearby Lynchburg, Gentleman Jack, introduced in 1988, is always on our radar and on our shelf. Tennessee whiskey is mellowed by using charcoal filters. Gentleman Jack is “double mellowed”.
“Gentleman Jack undergoes a second charcoal mellowing to achieve exceptional smoothness. Its balanced flavor is perfect for celebrating life’s extraordinary occasions, plus all the moments along the way. “
We like the sound of a Gentleman’s Manhattan. We’re looking forward to ordering one at a reputable watering hole and hoping no one asks where the gentleman is.
To make one at home, Jack’s website calls out adding a couple dashes of bitters to 1/2 ounce of dry vermouth, a 1/2 ounce of sweet vermouth, and to 1 1/2 ounces of Gentleman Jack. Dry and sweet vermouth. Interesting, and it works.
But don’t forget the “dark cherries”. So another shout-out here to John Selby for turning us on to Luxardo Cherries via his “World’s Best Old Fashioned” recipe. These cherries and their juice taste like you want your cough syrup to taste like but it never does. Cough syrup starts out good but then goes off the tracks. The cherries, on the other hand, are delicious! An episode of the munchies and the whole jar could quickly disappear. We’re still waiting for that case of complimentary cherries to arrive by FedEx but since they haven’t… take our un-influenced word for it. Luxardo takes a Manhattan or an Old Fashioned up to 11. Gentlemen, start your Manhattans!
– Jet Cannon
