History & Heritage
“Born from Scotch and Drambuie pairings promoted at the 1937 British Industries Fair, the Rusty Nail rose to fame in New York's '21' Club and became a Rat Pack favorite through the 1960s before being embraced anew by modern whisky lovers.”
Ingredients
Quality ingredients make all the difference. Each component plays a crucial role.
1.5 oz
0.5 oz
Method
Technique transforms ingredients into something extraordinary.
Add both ingredients to a rocks glass filled with ice
Stir gently to combine
Garnish with lemon twist
Glassware
Served over ice in a rocks glass
Garnish
Expressed lemon twist
Flavor Journey
Every great cocktail tells a story through its flavors. Here's the sensory experience you can expect.
Sweet
out of 10
Sour
out of 10
Bitter
out of 10
Strong
out of 10
Master's Tips
Professional insights to elevate your craft
Use a peated Scotch for complexity
Adjust ratio to taste
Stir over large ice to keep dilution in check
Variations & Riffs
Classic cocktails inspire countless variations. Here are some popular riffs on the Rusty Nail.
Smoky Nail
Islay single malt adds bold peat smoke to the classic.
Changes
Irish Nail
Uses smooth Irish whiskey in place of Scotch for a softer profile.
Changes
Clavo Ahumado
A mezcal-based riff bringing earthy smoke and spice.
Changes
Rusty Compass
Adds a bar spoon of cherry liqueur for a fruity accent.
Changes
Rusty Spike
Bourbon replaces Scotch for a sweeter, vanilla-rich profile.
Changes
Donald Sutherland
Canadian rye whisky softens the edges of the classic mix.
Changes
More to Explore
If you enjoyed this cocktail, these similar creations might capture your interest.
Clavo Ahumado
A bold and sophisticated modern classic that brilliantly reimagines the iconic Rusty Nail by substituting Scotch whisky with the earthy, smoky character of mezcal.
Donald Sutherland
Canada's answer to the classic Rusty Nail, substituting Scotch with the distinctively spicy and smooth character of Canadian rye whisky.
Godfather
Smoky and sweet—Scotch whisky softened with amaretto over a large cube for a simple after‑dinner sipper.