First, I finally got up the nerve for the clear rye throwdown:
This will be a non-Skylab, non-HPA review. The Wasmund's clear rye spirit remained as hideously vile as I remembered. The Barbershop clear rye was merely vile. However, since the Barbershop is significantly more expensive I declare it a tied FAIL.
I needed something to cleanse my palate so I went with an improved Lucien Gaudin cocktail:
1 1/2 oz Junipero Gin
1/2 oz Mandarine Napolean
1/2 oz Gran Classico Bitters
1/2 oz Vya extra dry Vermouth
Stir with ice and strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with an orange twist.