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Despite the pirate name, the Plank Walker has no rum in it at all. It is a Scotch drink, built a lot like a Rob Roy, with sweet vermouth and a half ounce of yellow Chartreuse poured over broken ice in a rocks glass. The name likely refers to how steady you will feel after a couple of these, since it is almost all spirit.
If you know the Bobby Burns, which pairs Scotch and sweet vermouth with Benedictine, this is its close relative. Yellow Chartreuse takes the place of the Benedictine, bringing honey, saffron and soft herbal notes that are gentler and sweeter than its better-known green sibling. Set against the malt of the Scotch and the dark, spiced fruit of the vermouth, it makes a rich, warming drink that suits a cold night. It is short, amber colored and meant to be sipped slowly.
Glass: Old-fashioned glass | Strength: Strong | Serves: 1 | Prep Time: 2 minutes
Bartenders tip: The original recipe builds it straight in the glass, but stirring all three ingredients with ice in a mixing glass first and then straining over fresh ice gives you a smoother, colder drink. A blended Scotch or a gentle Speyside malt works best, since a heavily peated Islay will bulldoze the Chartreuse. Keep your vermouth in the fridge once it is open, because a tired bottle will make this taste flat.
