Incredible new whiskey cocktail

[vitalMyth]

A few weeks ago, I took a friend to the Vesper bar at Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas (that being a 10-minute walk from my condo). This bar is situated right near the registration desks and the menu focuses on a return to classics, featuring the original recipes of cocktails that have been popular for many years. Inside the menu, you will find stories of the origins of the Manhattan, Moscow Mule, Vesper, and many other time-tested libations. Sitting down, I noticed that one gentleman tending bar was not in the standard uniform of a shirt and vest without tie, but rather wearing a two-piece suit with a gorgeous tie in a full Windsor knot. When I asked for an Old Fashioned for myself and "something with Amaretto" for my indecisive companion, the suited man took quite a bit of creative liberty with my order, but concocted possibly the best cocktail I have ever had:

2oz. Glenmorangie 12
1oz. Sloe gin
1oz. Lillet Rouge
Orange bitters
Lemon twist

Shaken and served up, with a homemade pickled cherry on a stick (which was absolutely divine, and such a nice touch that they make their own cherries). It made a lot of sense, with orange bitters and Lillet Rouge, how this was his take on an Old Fashioned. And the flavor was utterly incredible. I may just never order another cocktail ever again. I've also had it with Glenlivet 12 and Black Label, and both were noticeably different and interestingly pleasant in their own ways. Try your favorite whiskey with it!

Cherry Herring substitutes for Lillet Rouge very nicely. I would imagine that just about any cherry liqueur would work here.

This cocktail doesn't yet have a name, but I've memorized the recipe and asked for it EVERY time I've gone out for a drink since then. The creator's name is Andrew, and he is the man in charge of Vesper bar's menu development.

If you're a whiskey fan and find yourself in Las Vegas, go to Vesper bar and have one of these.

[The Chandos]

Is Lillet a cherry liqueur? Although I've never tried it - was tempted to recently - I had a completely different conception of what it might taste like.

[danek]

Lillet is a brand of a vermouth-like herbal liqueur. You could substitute any sweet vermouth and get close to what he has here; I would guess that the strong flavors of Scotch, sloe gin and bitters might mask any differences between Lillet and say, Dolin Rouge or Punt E Mes.

[Shantytownbrown]

Lillet is a brand of a vermouth-like herbal liqueur. You could substitute any sweet vermouth and get close to what he has here; I would guess that the strong flavors of Scotch, sloe gin and bitters might mask any differences between Lillet and say, Dolin Rouge or Punt E Mes.

Lilltet is actually a herbal wine apperitif (not techincaly a liqueur, as this implies added sugars)...a sub would be Dubonet Rouge which was the original, where as Lillet Blanc was the original white, each company copied its "opposite", i think punt e mes would completely overwhelm the concept of this drink....but thats just my humble opinion...

I will try this both ways with Cherry Herring and Lillet, they must be quite different drinks, tho Herring works well with Scotch in the Blood and Sand, so makes sense it works here...
Might even be interesting to play with Lillet Blanc too..

I would think stirring would be better here to have a more crystal clear silky drink...especially since there is no citrus here

I do get to vegas once or twice a year, will have to get to the cosmo to try that one...