(Gerry Furth-Sides) Making cocktails properly has always been a considerable skill. These days it is considered an art. Knox & Dobson President Rob Levy and Creative Director Peter Lloyd Jones, who is the formulation and product development director, agree. They would know, being involved with highly esteemed bars, (The Raymond 1886, Everson Royce Bar). So they found a way to create the perfect pre-mixed drinks in Knox & Dobson’s new bottled cocktail collection. Please check the website for vendors at //www.knoxanddobson.com. Each 200 ml bottle easily contains two servings. Each bottle costs $15 and the set is $70.
It starts with the shape and look of the bottles. The indigo, translucent color is an instant classic. At our tasting, everyone was so impressed with the hexagon-shaped shape of the bottle and flat sides that makes it easy to hold and almost impossible to roll around if it tips over. “This is absolutely perfect to take to events, such as the Hollywood Bowl,” emphasized guest, Ingrid Day. “It even feels so good in the hand.”
We did our tasting with well-experienced catering company bartender, Donald Herman. He advised chilling the glasses for the Martini. We worked out way from cocktails with the least amount of ingredients to the most, additionally from the least sweet to the sweetest. Bartender Herman praised each and every one of the cocktails because they were “made with integrity and accuracy.” I add that this is the perfect way to learn how to make a cocktail at home with Knox & Dobson setting the standard for taste.
A “proper” martini in its original form contain gin and vermouth. Liquor historian David Wondrich writes that bartenders have always referred to a martini made according to the original recipe as a “silver bullet” or a “crisp cocktail” because of its incredibly clean and fresh flavor.
Donald garnished each martini with imported Spanish queen olives. They added to the somewhat herbal flavors of the gin. Perfection. When serving the cocktail at home, it’s easy to make variations such as a “dirty Martini” with olive juice. It also zings with a lemon twist, or even without an olive for a dry taste.
The Knox & Dobson Improved Whiskey Cocktail is rightfully labeled “improved.” It is straight aged rye whiskey, Maraska Maraschino Liqueur and Angostura bitters. This cocktail has a spiced flavor profile, including American oak, citrus, along with bright and deep cherry notes.
Even though a recognized “cousin’ of the Martini, origins of the Manhattan cocktail are not as well known. They seem to lead to the Manhattan Club, a social organization for Democrats in New York. More specifically, Lady Randolph Churchill, Sir Winston’s mother, ordering a combination of rye and vermouth for a toast during a visit to the club.
The Manhattan is prepared with spicy rye whiskey, sweet vermouth and two dashes of Angostura, stirred with ice to chill, and then strained into a Martini glass. Farnish with a brandied cherry makes it upper class.
We loved the Old Fashioned with its amber color. Knox & Dobson advises popping a Luxardo Maraschino cherry into it. The cherry works to balance the big citrus flavor and turn it bright, fresh and fruity. Our group agreed that we loved it with and without cherries.
The detailed aromas and flavors of the Old Fashioned to look for are freshly expressed orange peel, caramelized citrus, peppered almonds, raisins, and toffee with a supple, sweet medium body and a warm, intricate, long finish suggesting hints of licorice, violet, and sweet oak.
Gerry Furth-Sides 
Barbara Hansen 
Chef-owner Alain Cohen 
Roberta Deen 
Jose Martinez 
Nivedita Basu 