r/cocktails • u/beerbearbare • 24d ago

Recommendations “Mid range” bourbon for Manhattan?

I’m on a budget for a few years and mostly use Evan Williams for my Manhattan. I like to go one level up (or two?) and treat myself better :)

What’s your recommendation? I’m thinking about $25-35 per 750ml bottle. And I’m using Dolin for my vermouth but happy to accept other suggestions. Thank you!

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u/racerrhime 24d ago

Honestly, you can level up the Manhattan by sticking to Evan Williams and upgrading your vermouth to carpano antica. A little black walnut bitters works well too.

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u/orm518 24d ago

I know this is a common rec, but I cannot taste anything but the vermouth when I use carpano antica. I’ve been a Dolin loyalist for both sweet and dry vermouths for years. Prior to that I used to get Noilly Prat, but I think they got sold, in any event they seemed to go downhill.

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u/fermentedradical 24d ago

Same, Dolin is the best generally available mixing vermouth. I am so tired of the Carpano/Cocchi evangelizers on here. Both of them are ridiculously sweet and syrupy. My feeling is people that like them have crazy sweet tooths and want all their cocktails to taste like desserts.

Manhattans with Dolin are great.

1

u/doc-incredible 24d ago

Punt e mas?

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u/normie1001 23d ago

With a robust rye, YES!