High West Double Rye Manhattan Finish

Got a generous pour of this from @Richard-ModernDrinking, my buddy from across the Hudson. It seems as if High West has limited releases as store picks, and this might be one of those. I’ve never had a Manhattan, so hard to compare. Every Sunday evening, it’s my turn to cook. And tonight, making stir fry in red pepper peanut sauce. Now you see, I have a habit while cooking….I need either a glass of wine, or a pour of whiskey. One pour takes me through the entire cooking. I got this habit from my friend back in business school, we’ll call her “S”. S lived with her boyfriend off campus. But, everytime her boyfriend’s god fearing Bible Belt parents came to visit, she temporarily moved into my apartment. She had a habit of cooking while finishing half a bottle of Jack. Yes. Half a bottle. Neat. By the end of cooking, she’d be passed out on the sofa. But I noticed that the more she drank, the better the taste of her cooking. So…I used to buy her a bottle every other day, and she made these amazing meals. Only for me to have alone, as she was passed out. I was fine with that arrangement. Hence…that habit I have now, except it’s just a pour and I’m not passing out. Anyway—-this particular pour : At first aroma, I’m hit with maraschino cherries and sweet vermouth, with a heavy dose of alcohol vapors. The palette carries through with the cherries again, but a strong taste of vanilla and licorice. If this is what a Manhattan taste like, I really need to try one. It’s deceptively good. Thanks for the pour Richard !