By Dan Dunn

It’s my understanding that the “Pickleback” – a jigger of Jameson Irish Whiskey chased with a shot of straight pickle juice – was invented at the Bushwick Country Club in Brooklyn. And were I not, at this writing, on an uncomfortably heated train bound for the Scottish Highlands suffering through what feels like a pack of yapping hyenas practicing skateboard tricks between my ears (a direct result of behavior to be spelled out in subsequent paragraphs), perhaps I’d be a bit more motivated to make inquiries in the interest of verifying that information.

However, I can confirm – having been there when it happened – that a variation of the aforementioned concoction was first hoisted upon an unsuspecting drinking public one rainy evening at a fashionable saloon called Bon Vivant in central Edinburgh. The brainchild of one Max Warner of Chivas Brothers in the UK, “The Bareback” calls for a shot of one of the most oft-quaffed whiskies in Scotland, Chivas Regal, chased with gherkin juice… gherkins, of course, being those little special needs cucumbers that are as ubiquitous in Scottish pubs as toothless, besotted brawlers (and the men who are married to them).

So how does the Bareback compare to its forebear, the Pickleback? Well, the delicious whiskies are a toss-up, but the pickle/gherkin juice is quite literally tough to swallow. Think sucking face with Lil’ Kim versus Lady Gaga – neither will leave a pleasant taste in your mouth, but should the opportunity present itself, testosterone and the spirit of adventure dictate you do it anyway.

Be forewarned, the Bareback delivers a wallop… and seven of them produces skateboarding hyenas.