Tonight, make it the highbrow of the Highlands - the whiskey of the worker meets the cordial of a prince. Invite friends from both camps for a waggish gathering that won't let guests take themselves too seriously.

There's a high road and a low road, and at this party, they meet at your place. Serve the common denominator with class, the Rusty Nail. Its simple recipe of 1 1/2 ounces blended scotch and 1/2 ounce Drambuie stirred and poured over ice makes for a surprisingly complex drink, one that manages to please both diehard whiskey drinkers and those who like their Shirley Temples spiked.

It's worth noting that scotch drinkers aren't necessarily whiskey drinkers, and most will split hairs over the matter. Indulge their quibbles, but serve them the same. After all, Drambuie is made from blended scotch, so you're merely adding more scotch - just condensed and with a tang of honey. Now, mixing a single or vetted malt in a cocktail is something to quibble over. Besides being ridiculously decadent, this irksome exploit reveals a naive mixer, since it fails to makes a better drink. The strong character of single and vetted malts make for unbalanced cocktails that are far too distracting to be enjoyed.

Blended scotches, with their far less distinctive flavor, work well as mixers, offering the lure of a single malt without its bite. The flavor of blended scotches - as with all liquors - will vary from brand to brand. Mixing Rusty Nails is simple and straightforward, with most deviations in measurement mildly distasteful at best. Remember, mixologists have been toying with this classic for the past 40 or so years - anyone would be hard put to top their efforts. If you'd like to offer variety at your gathering, serve several brands of blended scotch. Spending about US$15 to $20 for a 750-milliliter bottle usually translates into a quality blended scotch. If you're planning a small gathering, opt for a few pint-sized bottles. Remember, always do the math before a party - otherwise, you may end up with a year's supply of one liquor, or guests anxious to leave.

Johnny Walker Red Label and Dewar's White Label are well-respected brands sure to be recognized. Dimple - originally called Haig Scotch Whisky in 1893 but later renamed after its three-sided, "pinched" bottle - is a tasty whiskey that particularly appeals to those impressed by packaging. Scoresby Scotch, created for the so-called American taste profile, is lighter than the rest, and certainly not to be served to a Scot.

Drambuie is a cordial with few imitators. As far as we're concerned, there's no substitute for this liqueur, which is sold at most quality liquor stores, especially around the winter holidays. If you're unable to find or order Drambuie and have six months until your next gathering featuring the Rusty Nail, toss a fifth of blended scotch, 1 1/2 cups mild honey, 2 1/2 teaspoons of dried angelica root minced, 1/4 teaspoon crushed fennel seeds, and a few 2-inch lemon zests into a large Mason jar or other aging container with a tight-fitting lid. During the first day, shake the container several times, and, on the second day, remove the lemon zests and store the brew in a cool, dark place for two weeks. Shake the ingredients every other day. After two weeks, strain the mix through a sieve to remove herbs. Pour the liquid back into its container, and let it stand for six months undisturbed. Then siphon or pour the clear liqueur through muslin and into a sterile bottle.

Unlike most cocktails, the Rusty Nail is never served with a garnish, so this drink's appearance relies greatly on its glass. Hefty tumblers with little or no design work best. Most imbibers will enjoy this drink only if it's suitably chilled. Peaks of ice should rise above the glass' rim, and, unlike most cocktails, a Rusty Nail shouldn't be rushed. Many guests, in fact, will slowly savor their drink, with an eye toward gnawing on the ice. Called the smoker's spirit, whiskey demands that the repast be rich and hearty for it to be noticed. Hors d'oeuvres, such as meatballs and chutney cheese, work well.

For guests trying to shake a late-night chill, warm a Rusty Nail in a pan over a low burner and serve in an Irish Coffee mug with a lemon wedge. Oftentimes, a warmed Rusty Nail goes by the name Finlay's Scottish Tea.

Then, as guests meander about, let them contemplate Scotland, a country whose liquor often overshadows its Who's Who list: Charles Macintosh, the fellow we can thank for rubberized cloth; Mary Queen of Scotts, who - contrary to popular belief - did not create the Bloody Mary; and Robert Burns, our favorite ill-behaved sot, next to Hemingway.

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