Dry American a false friend (6)

I believe the answer is:

brutus

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'a false friend' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.

'dry american' is the wordplay.
'dry' becomes 'brut' (type of wine).
'american' becomes 'US' (abbreviation for United States).
'brut'+'us'='BRUTUS'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for brutus that I've seen before include "associate of 24?" , "Conspirator in the murder of Julius Caesar" , "Honourable Roman" , "An honourable man, said Antony" , "Caesar's assassin" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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