OK.

#1: Rittenhouse + Antica + Orange Bitters (Stirred)= FABULOSO !!!!

#2: Rittenhouse + Punt y Mes + orange Bitters (Stirred)= Pretty good but bitter aftertaste

#3: Evan Williams 1783 + Antica + orange Bitters (on the rocks in a bucket) = better than 2 but not as good as #1


Verdict:
The sweet vermouth is key.

This Carpano Antica ($27 at BevMo) is Outstanding. The Punt y Mes ($21) is a bit disappointing and Greg is right on when he says:

"I still need to pick up a bottle of Punt Y Mes, and explore its use in a Manhattan. It comes from Carpano, though it is supposedly a bit more bitter than the Antico, but not quite Campari. "

Very true..........bitter is right on, but the Antica is smoother and much more complex and I am NOT the one to try and describe all the flavors in that juice.
VYA is next on my to get list but, for my $$$$$$ moolah its
Carpano Antica
Noilly Prat will probably be my every day SV and Punt y Mes will not again be purchased.

just sayin...............

Rick, I've been told that there is no shortage of BS when I'm about. I'm not quite sure how to take it...

The Antica truly IS amazing stuff. In fact, sip a little straight, and be amazed at how remarkable the vermouth experience can be. It's got depth and complexity in spades. The Vya is fantastic, too.

Tomorrow, I'm picking up a bottle of Punt Y Mes, and I'm out of sherry. I'm doing a scallop and crab risotto in the next couple days, and that splash of Fino just rocks the world when it hits the pan. (Not to mention a glass or two makes babysitting the risotto during the cooking just a bit easier...)

Now, I'm getting hungry AND thirsty...

You should still be able to enjoy the Punt e Mes as a refreshing mid day relaxer by pouring 2 ounces of it over ice in a bucket, adding either soda water or tonic and a thick, juicy orange slice. Low in alcohol content, a nice palate freshener and a good way to let the vermouth express itself. Often a drink like this can be as effective as a nosing glass for exploring a libations nuances

been researching all week long................

come to find out, the Punt y Mes aint half bad with the right rye (bourbon).
I like it best with Evan Williams 1783 and a few drops of the orange bitters.
Didnt care for it much with the Rittenhouse and when poured over WildTurkey 101 (not rye) made me feel ashamed I had wasted perfectly good WT.
Lousy.
Still want to get some Rittenhouse 101 and need to restock the WT101 Rye, as well.

sidenote:
Ive been making them a bit differently this week.
Chill a glass (bucket) with ice.
Pour ingredients into shaker full of ice and stir until frozen.
Strain back into chilly glass full of fresh ice.

Wonder if I'll ever order them that way if I go out ?

I don't know how I missed this thread. Absolutely, I am a fan of Manhattans. I think it's the best mixed drink to pair with a pipe.

So in my desperation last night, whilst not having all of the ingredients to make a proper manhattan, I grabbed for my bottle of Gentleman Jack and decided I was going to have a drink after a particularly stressful day. Typically I would never use this to make a manhattan, as this happens to be a sweeter variety of Whiskey, and not quite dry enough to mix well with vermouth, but like I said, I was desperate. Looking around for an alternative to sweet vermouth, I remembered I had a bottle of Sandeman Founders Reserve Port. Yes. I did what you are thinking. A dash of port into the already chilling whiskey, and I poured that into a martini glass that I had chilling in the freezer.

I must say, this was really quite tasty. I would suspect that with a drier whiskey, or more so, a proper rye, this would be quite delicious.

OK BB.....Now watch'a gonna' name your new concoction FTRPLT

Portly Gentleman?

Natch

Friday night for me and am having a, er...um....................cuppa Manhattans, as we speak.

2 things:
1. Wild Turkey 101 (not of the rye persuasion)
makes a lousy M.
Love the juice but Ive tried it with many Sweet vermouths and ............it just aint happnin.

2. Punt Y mes is sooooooooooooooo bitter to me, I was gonna write it off.
BUT, HOLD THE PRESSES !!!
Added some marischino cherry juice to the mix and it is purdy tasty.
Dont know if I'll buy it again, considering the Antica is only a cuppa bucks more, but at least I'll enjoy the rest of this bottle.

1115am, right now.................but I was off work at 6am. Its MY Friday night !!!

Good luck with teaching a "barkeep" how to make a good Manhattan.............I aint found one yet