So, I went to Portland Variety a week ago for my birthday. 2 of the cocktails I ordered off the menu were quite good as well as the food.
After the second drink, I kinda put my trust in my server and the bartender and asked for a recommendation on a spirit-forward cocktail using either bourbon, rye, or mezcal. I ended up receiving a Bourbon Sour, which is pretty far from a spirit-forward cocktail for which I kindly asked about.
The server was kind enough to take it back and get me another drink. He comes by saying they'll make me a "Bourbon Smash" but I'm not entirely clear on what it is.
When I receive the drink, I notice immediately it wasn't what I asked for. Breaking down the ingredients of my drink in my head, it seems that they just added basil, dropped in some ice, shook it up and effectively recycled the rest of my previous drink. I didn't see it happen because I don't watch the staff cook/bartend as I trusted them to handle it but they insulted my intelligence by recycling what I just sent back.
Based on that, I cannot recommend this place.