The Final Ward

Another riff on the Last Word, I present the Final Ward:

• 3/4 ounce straight rye whiskey (100 proof)
• 3/4 ounce green chartreuse
• 3/4 ounce Luxardo Maraschino liqueur
• 3/4 ounce lemon juice

Shake all ingredients with ice, then strain into a coupe. Express a lemon zest twist over the top and discard. Garnish with brandied cherries.

When I was first introduced to this cocktail, I thought it was called the Final Word, which would be a progression on the Last Word (followed, I assume, by the Penultimate Word and the Ultimate Word, and no I haven’t looked those up but they probably exist). Instead it is the Final Ward, named after its inventor, Phil Ward, and I appreciate the pun.