The Old One-two Recipe

Chill or prepare glass

If desired, chill an Old Fashioned / rocks glass by filling with ice and water for 2–3 minutes, then discard. Alternatively, place glass in freezer for a few minutes.

Place one large clear sphere or large stem & sphere ice cube into the chilled rocks glass and set aside.

In a mixing glass or Boston shaker (no shaking), add the Four Roses Small Batch Bourbon (1 oz) and Jim Beam Red Stag Black Cherry Bourbon (1 oz).

Add Madagascar vanilla liqueur (0.25 oz) or vanilla syrup, demerara/simple syrup (0.25 oz), and 2 drops of orange blossom water.

Add Fernet-Branca (0.25 oz). The small amount should add a herbal, slightly bitter counterpoint—start light; adjust in future batches to taste.

Add plenty of ice to the mixing glass (enough to chill and dilute). Stir briskly for 20–30 seconds (about 20–30 rotations) until the mixture is well chilled and slightly diluted (target ~25–30°F / very cold).

Strain the stirred cocktail over the prepared sphere or large cube in the rocks glass using a julep strainer or fine strainer to keep small ice shards out.

Express the orange peel over the drink: hold the peel with the outer (zest) side down about 4–6 inches above the glass and give it a firm twist to release oils, then run the peel around the rim and drop it into the drink.

Thread or place one Filthy® Cherry (or high-quality cocktail cherry) on the stem and rest it against the sphere or drop it beside the peel in the glass.

Serve immediately, recommending the drink be sipped slowly to appreciate the layered flavors as the large ice melts and marries the bourbons, vanilla, orange blossom, and Fernet.