Velvet Smoke

The Velvet Smoke captures the essence of time-honored sophistication with a mysterious, smoky twist. The cocktail is designed to evolve on the palate, starting with the familiar warmth of bourbon, then moving through sweet, herbal nuances, and finishing with a delicate touch of smokiness that lingers like a fond memory. Serve this in an old-fashioned glass (also known as a rocks glass) to enhance the experience of this modern classic. Ingredients: - 2 oz Smoked Bourbon - 1/2 oz Velvet Falernum - 2 dashes Angostura bitters - 2 dashes Orange bitters - 1 Sugar cube - Burnt orange peel for garnish - Luxardo cherry for garnish - Ice sphere or large ice cubes Instructions: 1. In the old-fashioned glass, place the sugar cube. 2. Saturate the sugar cube with both Angostura and orange bitters. 3. Muddle the sugar and bitters until the cube is broken down and starts to dissolve. 4. Add a large ice sphere or a couple of big ice cubes to the glass. 5. Pour in the smoked bourbon and velvet falernum over the ice. 6. Stir the mixture gently for about 30 seconds to properly blend the flavors while chilling the drink. 7. Express the oil from the burnt orange peel over the drink by holding it over the glass and giving it a good squeeze, then rub the peel around the rim of the glass and drop it in. 8. Garnish with a Luxardo cherry on a cocktail stick. 9. Serve immediately and enjoy the layered experience of the Velvet Smoke. This innovative version of the old-fashioned incorporates the comforting flavors of a classic cocktail with an intriguing smoky profile and the lush sweetness of velvet falernum, bringing a touch of the exotic to a well-loved staple.