Yikes. The bottle (my first) of La Gitana I just opened has a bottled on date of "MAR-04".

Is that a bit old?

I've been making "Cornwall Negronis" (Phillip ward, Pegu Club) at the bar for the last few weeks with very good feedback. Its a little less intense in both its sweetness and bitterness, giving the gin a fighting chance.

1 and 1/2 oz gin, (I like Plymouth or Bombay in this, something citrus forward, Phillip uses Beefeater)
1/2 oz campari
1/2 oz punt e mes
1/2 oz sweet vermouth, (Carpano Antica if your lucky)
2 dashes orange bitters
garnish orange swath

Been really liking this with Pyrat XO. Sacrilege? Yes, of course. But I can't get my hand on any decent cuban. If anyone has a few bottles of Havana club they want to send my way...