How To Make The Equinox Smoke & Spice Old Fashioned

September 24, 2026September 24, 2026 / bourbonjourney / Leave a comment

Welcome to Episode 89 of Thirsty Thursday Cocktails on Your Bourbon Journey! Tonight, Rebecca crafts the Equinox Smoke & Spice, a dark, spirit-forward smoked Old Fashioned created to welcome the crisp nights of the autumn equinox.

Anchored by the bold 27% high-rye backbone and oily viscosity of Old Grand-Dad 114 Single Barrel, this recipe layers subtle barrel-aged sweetness with aromatic complexity. Sweetened with just a whisper of bourbon barrel aged maple syrup and infused with Fee Brothers Turkish Tobacco and Aztec Chocolate bitters, this build finishes under a rich canopy of fragrant cherry wood smoke.

Whether you are hosting friends by the firepit or looking to elevate your home bar cocktail smoking technique, this balanced, non-sweet, spirit-forward build is an absolute must-try for bourbon lovers.

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🍂 Cocktail Recipe: Equinox Smoke & Spice

2.0 oz Old Grand-Dad 114 Single Barrel Bourbon
1 barspoon (0.15 oz) Bourbon Barrel Aged Maple Syrup
2 dashes Fee Brothers Turkish Tobacco Bitters
2 dashes Fee Brothers Aztec Chocolate Bitters
Wood Smoke: Cherry wood chips

🥃 Instructions:

In a mixing glass, combine the bourbon, barrel-aged maple syrup, Turkish tobacco bitters, and Aztec chocolate bitters.
Add dense ice and stir thoroughly until well chilled and properly diluted.
Strain into a double rocks glass over a large clear ice cube.
Place your cocktail smoking chimney top on the glass, fill with cherry wood chips, and ignite with your torch.
Allow the smoke to infuse into the spirit, remove the top, and enjoy the rich hearth aromas!

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NOTE: The spirits and items in this review were purchased by us. We were not compensated by the producers for this review.

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Turkish Tobacco Manhattan: The Ultimate Winter Cocktail

December 4, 2025December 4, 2025 / bourbonjourney / Leave a comment

🥃 The Turkish Tobacco Manhattan (Rye Twist) | December Cocktail Series Part 1/5 | Thirsty Thursday E47

Welcome to Episode 47 of Thirsty Thursday Cocktails and the exciting start of our five-part December Cocktail Series!

Tonight, we’re kicking off the holidays with a sophisticated, deep, and woodsy cocktail: The Turkish Tobacco Manhattan. This is more than just a twist on a classic; it’s a slow-sipper built for contemplation and chilly nights.

We anchor this drink with 2 oz of Sagamore Spirit Small Batch Rye Whiskey for a fantastic backbone of spice and pepper. We maintain the classic 2:1 ratio using Valdespino Sweet Vermouth, which adds a rich, almost savory depth.

The magic is in the bitters blend! We use 3 dashes of Turkish Tobacco Bitters for that deep, smoky, earthy base note (it’s all about the aroma of the cured leaf!) and 2 dashes of Cherry Bitters to provide a crucial, bright ‘lift.’

For the final touch of luxury and aroma, we smoke the coupe glass with Cherry Wood before straining. This creates a woodsy, “fireplace” aroma that ties the whole concept together.

This is a complex, flavorful, and perfect welcome to your holiday entertaining!

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The Kentucky Coffee: A Recipe for Bourbon Lovers

March 13, 2025March 13, 2025 / bourbonjourney / Leave a comment

In episode 9 of Thirsty Thursday Bourbon Cocktails, we present an exciting twist on the classic Irish Coffee that is destined to be your go-to coffee specialty – the Kentucky Coffee Cocktail! You’ll discover that the Kentucky Coffee boasts a vibrant aroma and delivers a smooth, flavorful experience, where the bold bitterness of black coffee is perfectly balanced by the sweet notes of vanilla and caramel from the Kentucky Bourbon. With a strong, freshly brewed coffee as its foundation, this cocktail packs a punch. The Kentucky Bourbon infuses a smooth, slightly spicy warmth that complements the coffee’s boldness brilliantly. Adding Tobacco Bitters enhances the earthy characteristics of the Bourbon, while a touch of caramel and Bourbon Cream introduces the ideal sweetness, perfectly balancing the coffee’s assertiveness with the bourbon’s warmth. Finally, a velvety layer of whipped cream crowns this drink, adding a delightful creamy texture. In this video, we will expertly guide you through the cocktail-making process with clear, step-by-step instructions, empowering you to craft this delightful coffee—ideal for sharing with friends or indulging solo.

RECIPE:

Caramel to drizzle into the coffee cup
1.5 oz. of Kentucky Bourbon
1 oz of bourbon cream
3-4 Dashes of Turkish Tobacco Bitters
4 oz of fresh brewed coffee
Garnish with whipped cream and freshly grated nutmeg

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NOTE: The spirits and items in this review were purchased by us. We were not compensated by the producers for this review. Please drink responsibly.

Kentucky Tobacco Sour: A Unique Spin on the Classic Whiskey Sour

March 7, 2025March 5, 2025 / bourbonjourney / Leave a comment

In episode 8 of Thirsty Thursday Bourbon Cocktails, we’re crafting the ultimate bourbon cocktail set to become your new favorite: the Kentucky Tobacco Sour! My inspiration struck at a bourbon pairing dinner where a chef used Turkish Tobacco Bitters in the appetizer, leaving me completely captivated by the rich aromas and earthy flavors.

The very next day, I seized a bottle of Fee Brothers Turkish Tobacco Bitters, eager to explore its potential. However, I couldn’t find a bourbon-based cocktail that matched my flavor aspirations. So, I put my spin on the classic Whiskey Sour—using Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey and a splash of Fee Brothers Turkish Tobacco Bitters.

The result is a delightful fragrance that evokes tobacco leaves—warm, complex, earthy, subtly sweet, and intriguingly floral. The bitters’ notes of nutmeg and clove create a robust cocktail experience. After testing several versions, Wayne and I are confident you’ll love this Kentucky Tobacco Sour as much as we do!

In this video, we will guide you through the cocktail-making process with clear, step-by-step instructions so you can confidently create this exquisite drink—perfect for sharing with friends or savoring solo.

RECIPE:

2 oz. of bourbon
1 oz. of Sweet & Sour Mix (or equal parts lemon juice & simple syrup)
3 Dashes of Turkish Tobacco Bitters
6 Dashes of Fee Brothers Fee Foam (or one egg white)
Garnish with 3 Dashes of Turkish Tobacco Bitters

DIRECTIONS:

Add 2 oz. bourbon
Add 1 oz. of Sweet & Sour Mix
Add 3 Dashes of Turkish Tobacco Bitters
Stir in mixing glass until chilled
Pour into shaker dry (with no ice)
Add 6 Dashes of Fee Brothers Fee Foam
Shake for up to 1 minute
Pour into Coupe Glass
Garnish with 3 Dashes of Turkish Tobacco Bitters

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