When picking a whiskey to mix with, don’t overthink it: Choose something good enough that you’d sip it neat, but not so precious that you’ll overthink it.

For the whiskey, I used some 100 proof rye (100 or higher is best) in the form of WhistlePig 10 Year. For the vermouth, I used my go-to for Manhattans, which is Carpano Antica Formula.

Finding the best whiskey for a cocktail doesn’t have to be limited to bourbon or scotch. While both of those whiskeys make fine cocktail bases, there’s a whole world of whiskey out there that ...