The Victor Was Written: A Fall Rye Cocktail

If you’re looking for a fall rye cocktail built for slow sipping, The Victor Was Written brings together SirDavis American Whisky, a touch of peated bourbon, salted Tupelo honey, and El Guapo™ Chicory Pecan Bitters in one silky, spirit-forward glass.

Created by Meaghan Dorman around the release of SirDavis and the opening of Dear Irving on Broadway, the cocktail is also a very intentional nod to Beyoncé. SirDavis takes the lead, Tupelo honey tips its hat to the BeyHive, a little New Orleans flavor comes through El Guapo, and a whisper of Brooklyn peat stands in for Jay-Z.

The result is elegant and layered, with rye spice, soft pecan, stone fruit, honey, vanilla, and just enough smoke to linger.

This is one to sip and savor.

How Chicory Pecan Bitters Bring The Victor Was Written Together

The Victor Was Written is a small drink with a lot going on, so four drops matter.

El Guapo™ Chicory Pecan Bitters bring roasted, nutty depth to a cocktail already built around rye, honey, and smoke. The pecan character sits naturally alongside the richness of the whisky and Tupelo honey, while chicory adds a darker, roasted note that helps keep the drink from leaning too sweet.

That balance is especially important here because SirDavis is the star. The bitters are not meant to compete with the whisky. They work more like seasoning, pulling forward the cocktail’s warm, autumnal character while giving the finish another layer of depth.

The small measure of peated bourbon adds smoke without turning the drink into a smoke show, and salted Tupelo honey softens the edges while adding texture.

Bold rye, pecan, honey, stone fruit, vanilla, and a whisper of peat. Fall understood the assignment.

The Victor Was Written

x Meaghan Dorman
This recipe makes 1 serving.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Additional Time: 10 minutes for the salted Tupelo honey to cool
Total Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients

• 4 drops El Guapo™ Chicory Pecan Bitters
• ¼ oz salted Tupelo honey (recipe below)
• ¼ oz Kings County Distillery Peated Bourbon
• 1¾ oz SirDavis American Whisky
• Honeycomb square, for garnish

Subrecipe: Salted Tupelo Honey

Makes approximately 3 oz.

Ingredients

• ¼ cup Tupelo honey
• 2 tbsp hot water
• 1 small pinch fine sea salt

Instructions

1. Combine the Tupelo honey and hot water in a small bowl or heatproof measuring cup.
2. Stir until the honey is completely dissolved and the mixture is smooth.
3. Add a small pinch of fine sea salt and stir to combine.
4. Taste and add only enough salt to sharpen the honey without making it noticeably salty.
5. Let cool completely before using.
6. Refrigerate in a sealed container until ready to make the cocktail.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Place one large ice cube in a rocks glass.
2. Add the salted Tupelo honey and bitters.
3. Add the peated bourbon and SirDavis.
4. Stir gently over the large cube until the cocktail is well chilled and properly diluted.
5. Garnish with a square of honeycomb.
6. Serve immediately.

Tips & Variations

• Keep the peat restrained: The recipe uses only ¼ ounce of peated bourbon for a reason. It should register as a whisper of smoke behind the rye rather than dominate the drink.
• Use Tupelo honey: Its distinctive floral character gives the cocktail more nuance than a neutral sweetener and plays naturally with the whisky and pecan notes.
• Salt carefully: The salt should make the honey taste brighter and more dimensional, not salty. Start small.
• Use a large cube: A single large cube chills the cocktail while slowing dilution, which is ideal for a spirit-forward drink meant to be sipped.
• Stir in the glass: The Victor Was Written is designed to be built directly in the rocks glass, making it both elegant and refreshingly unfussy.
• Garnish with intention: The honeycomb is part of the cocktail’s story, not just decoration. Keep the garnish neat and small enough that it does not overwhelm the glass.

Related Recipes

• El Guapo Black Old Fashioned
• Smoky Pecan Old Fashioned

Looking for more cocktail inspiration? Explore our complete collection of recipes and discover your next favorite drink. Have a question? Contact us for assistance, or visit El Guapo’s homepage to explore everything we offer.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does The Victor Was Written taste like?

The Victor Was Written is spirit-forward, silky, and warming, with peppery rye spice, honey, soft pecan, stone fruit, gentle vanilla, and a subtle smoky finish. The peated bourbon stays in the background, giving the cocktail complexity without overwhelming the SirDavis.

Why use two different whiskies in The Victor Was Written?

SirDavis is the primary whisky and provides the cocktail’s structure and rye character. A much smaller amount of peated bourbon adds a light smoky note that lengthens the finish without taking over the drink.

What do Chicory Pecan Bitters add to a rye cocktail?

El Guapo™ Chicory Pecan Bitters bring roasted chicory and nutty depth that work especially well with the warm spice, oak, honey, and vanilla flavors commonly found in whisky cocktails. In this recipe, four drops are enough to add complexity while keeping SirDavis at the center of the drink.

Why add salt to the Tupelo honey?

A small amount of salt sharpens the honey and helps balance its sweetness. It also brings more definition to the pecan, rye, and smoky flavors in the finished cocktail.

Can I make The Victor Was Written ahead of time?

The salted Tupelo honey can be prepared in advance and refrigerated. Because the cocktail is designed to be built and stirred directly over a large cube, assemble each drink when you are ready to serve it for the best temperature and dilution.

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