Bulleit Manhattan Cocktail

Bulleit's canned Manhattan takes the classic three-part drink (bourbon, sweet vermouth and bitters) and packages it ready to pour. The whiskey is Bulleit Bourbon from Kentucky, and the bottling is 35% ABV. That is far stronger than a hard seltzer or a typical canned highball. It is closer to a Manhattan served in a bar, so treat each can as a proper cocktail rather than a casual sipper. Expect the profile this style usually has: rye-spiced bourbon warmth up front, the dark, slightly herbal sweetness of vermouth behind it, and a dry, bittering finish from the aromatic bitters. Because it is already blended, there is nothing to measure, stir or garnish. Chill the can thoroughly before opening, since a Manhattan tastes tighter and less sweet when cold. The simplest approach is to pour it over a large ice cube or two in a rocks glass. Large cubes melt slowly and soften the spirit without watering it down quickly. It also works served up in a chilled coupe or cocktail glass if you keep the can in the freezer for a short stretch beforehand, though the can is not meant to be frozen solid. Drinking straight from the can is fine, but a glass lets the bourbon and vermouth aromas come through, and a brandied cherry or an orange peel is an easy finishing touch if you have one. At this strength and flavor, it suits the end of a meal or the slower part of an evening better than a hot afternoon. It goes well with salty, savory and smoky food: charcuterie, aged cheddar, roasted nuts, grilled steak, barbecue or burgers. Dark chocolate or a pecan-based dessert also works against the vermouth's sweetness. It also travels well, since a single can packs easily for a cookout, a cabin weekend or a gift pairing with a good glass, and it saves you from buying separate bottles of bourbon, vermouth and bitters for one drink.