North End – Peerless Small Batch Bourbon

I wanted to mix this drink since our US trip last year. It was inspired by the 1919 cocktail created at Drink, Boston. However, I changed a few things and used a great bourbon I brought back from the States as a base spirit.

First, let us take a look at the bourbon: Kentucky Peerless use the ‘Sweet Mash’ process, where they use a completely new mash, instead of the ‘Sour Mash’ process. They produce their Small Batch Bourbon from grain to bottle with milling, cooking, fermenting, distilling and barrelling in house. After the ageing in ‘No. 3’ char casks, the bourbon is bottled at barrel proof, in my case at 54,25 % ABV.

Cherry, cherry…

The Kentucky Peerless Bourbon starts with typical bourbon flavours. Apart from a touch of corn whiskey, you can find cereals and glue notes. Furthermore, the Peerless Bourbon also shows some spices, a clear oak barrel influence and fruity cherry flavours.

Influenced by Boston

At Drink, Fort Point, I had the 1919 cocktail which I instantly had to recreate at home. Yet, I instantly also started to create riffs on it in my mind. One of them, was inspired by Boston’s Little Italy. This is why I replaced the Benedictine with Sfumato. On top of that, I also used Bittermens New England Spiced Cranberry Bitters.

The ‘North End’ clearly reminded me of a Boulevardier. However, the Plantation O.F.T.D. brings back more notes of the 1919 cocktail. All in all, the Sfumato works perfectly well with the bourbon, rum and Punt e Mes.