How Do I Compare?

 Story:

This drink is a Scaffa, which is a class of cocktails served at room temperature.  They've been around for some time, making an early appearance in Jerry Thomas's classic Bartender's Guide from the 1860's.  Apparently there is some debate about where the name came from -- some think it's based on the Italian word for "cupboard".  Scaffa cocktails were popular when ice was harder to come by, and lately made a bit of a comeback when bartenders were preparing shelf-stable cocktails for carryout during the COVID.
This drink surprised me initially, but I suppose it’s not much different than drinking a spirit neat.  The How Do I Compare has notes of both apples (from the brandy and bitters) and oranges (from the Cointreau and twist).  Our old friend Benedictine also makes an appearance, binding everything together with an herbal honey undercurrent.  It’s fun tasting the different layers of this cocktail. It comes as no surprise that it’s a strong drink, so take your time unpacking each sip.
This is another Sother Teague recipe, by the way.

Recipe:

0.75 oz bourbon

0.75 oz apple brandy

0.5 oz Benedictine

0.25 oz Cointreau

2 dashes apple bitters (4 shakes of the bottle)

          garnish: orange twist

-add all ingredients to a rocks glass without ice.  Stir briefly.

-express orange twist over the drink, then discard