"It's good Scottish weather...time for a Rob Roy"

The Rob Roy is a classic scotch cocktail and is probably one of the most well known of all classic scotch cocktails.  It was created in 1894 at the Waldorf Astoria in New York and is kin to the Manhattan.  The drink was named in honor of the premiere of Rob Roy, an operetta by composer Reginald De Koven and lyricist Harry B. Smith loosely based upon Scottish folk hero Robert Roy MacGregor.

So who is Rob Roy?  Records show Raibeart Ruadh MacGriorgair was baptised March 7, 1671 and died December 28, 1734.  He was a Scottish folk hero and outlaw of the early 18th century.  Rob was a well known and respected cattleman.  He had borrowed a large sum of money to increase his own cattle herd, but his chief herder disappeared along with the loaned money.  As a consequence, Rob defaulted on the loan and was branded an outlaw, while his lands were seized as forfeiture. A private blood feud was waged against his creditor the Duke of Montrose, for which he was eventually imprisoned and summarily pardoned a few years later.

The Waldorf Astoria bar book lists the ingredients as Orange Bitters, Scotch and Sweet Vermouth.  I have come to love this cocktail, but I believe that scotch is the base of this cocktail just as Rye whiskey is the base of a Manhattan.  Being a Highland folk hero, I tend to lean toward a well made Highland Scotch...

Barragan's Rob Roy

2 oz Glenfiddich 18 Year
1 oz Carpano Antica Sweet Vermouth
2 dashes Angostura Bitters
garnish with a Luxardo Cherry