I met a pal at a swanky bar the other night, and almost ordering a Manhattan, I switched to a Rob Roy at the last moment. I'd never had a Rob Roy before, but it's basically a Manhattan with Scotch Whiskey.

Here's your basic Manhattan:

4 parts rye whiskey

1 part sweet vermouth (sweet and dry for a perfect Manhattan, or just dry for a dry Manhattan)

a dash of bitters

a maraschino cherry

It seems a lot of places serve Makers Manhattans, but I am not much for Bourbon, and much less for Makers Mark. All things being equal, I like Scotch more than Bourbon, and thought the Rob Roy might be better. I was wrong. Peaty just doesn't jive with sweet vermouth, IMO.

Anyway, I was wondering if an Irish Whiskey might hit the middle ground? I like many Irish Whiskey's straight up. One of my buds makes very good Manhattans, but I know he always pulls out the stops on the Bourbon. -He belongs to a Whiskey club. I've never been able to reproduce that Manhattan at a bar.

Does anyone know how I might get a solid Manhattan at reasonably stocked a bar? Something I can always count on? Not as bright as Makers.