Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/611718
94 / the tasting panel / december 2015 "Authenticity to the man and his legend are very important as well as to build on the American legacy of bourbon and its great pairing poten- tial" says Radomski. The small batch whiskey was inspired by rare bottles discovered in Wayne's collection, the proprietary mash bill being made of mostly American bent corn with the addition of rye and sixth row barley. Duke is distilled in small batches and aged in handmade and hand-selected charred new American oak barrels for five to ten years. The spirit opens with subtle charred oak and saddle leather notes; mid-palate, it becomes peppery and earthy with umami sweetness that melts into complex layers of vanilla, caramel, toffee and cinnamon and nutmeg spices. At 88 proof, this full-bodied bourbon is right at home on Seamstress's robust cocktail menu, which stitches together a sewing theme, with categories like Patchwork and Embroidery, but that also hints at its modern sentiments. There are two special drinks at all times: one cocktail from which all proceeds are donated to charity (the benefactor changes monthly, as does the cocktail), and another designated for experimentation—the bar's version of the chef's special. "Our guests have come to expect and delight in unique and creative cocktails using familiar flavors in new and unex- pected expressions," boasts bartender Adam Rothstein. In addition to proudly showing off their own innovative Duke pairing, the Seamstress team built clas- sic Duke cocktails, originally designed by legendary mixologist Francesco Lafranconi, to showcase the spirit's versatility. "OUR GUESTS HAVE COME TO EXPECT AND DELIGHT IN UNIQUE AND CREATIVE COCKTAILS USING FAMILIAR FLAVORS IN NEW AND UNEXPECTED EXPRESSIONS" The original True Grit premiered in 1969, when John Wayne played aging U.S. Marshall Rooster Cogburn on a mission to hunt down one of the toughest outlaws in the West. The film, which featured fellow Hollywood stars Glen Campbell, Dennis Hopper and Robert Duvall, captured the drive and spirit of the American Wild West. Westward bound! True Grit ◗ 2 oz. Duke Kentucky Straight Bourbon ◗ ½ oz. Amaro Nonino ◗ ½ oz. Akonwara Amaro ◗ 2 Dashes of The Bitter Truth JT Decanter Bitters (or regular Angostura) ◗ Orange peel twisted and dropped in the mixing glass In a mixing glass filled with ice, stir all ingredients together then serve straight up in a Martini glass or on the rocks. Garnish with Luxardo cocktail cherry. The Wild Goose, a retired naval service yacht owned by The Duke, is now listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. "We spent many months at a time on the Wild Goose— British Columbia and Alaska in the summer and Mexico in the winter," Ethan Wayne recalls. "[The Duke's] love of food, wine and bourbon were forged here as he celebrated friendships." Ethan recounts the story of his father putting him on icebergs with the boat's fire axe to chip ice for the drinks; iceberg or glacier ice melts very slowly and doesn't dilute the spirit. Rediscovering bottles from John Wayne's personal whiskey collection 30 years after his dad passed away transported him back to that great time. The Wild Goose ◗ 1½ oz. Duke Kentucky Straight Bourbon ◗ ¾ oz. Praline Syrup by Monin ◗ 2 dashes The Bitter Truth Chocolate Bitters ◗ 4 oz. cold milk Pour ingredients into a Collins glass filled with ice, stir well and serve. Sprinkle with powdered cinnamon- nutmeg mix and a pinch of soluble coffee floating atop. STAY TUNED FOR THE RESULTS OF THE FIRST EVER DINING WITH THE DUKE PAIRING COMPETITION, WHICH WILL COME TO LIFE IN LAS VEGAS NEXT MONTH. OUR APRIL ISSUE WILL SHOWCASE COMPETITORS MIXING, PAIRING AND EVEN SHOOTING GUNS, WITH SPECIAL JUDGES FRANCESCO LAFRANCONI, FRED DAME MS AND ETHAN WAYNE. People's Choice Pioneer Best Bourbon in a Leading Role