Place a mixing glass or a rocks glass (if building directly) in front of you. Add the Demerara or dark brown sugar simple syrup (0.25 oz), 2 dashes Angostura bitters and 1 dash cinnamon bitters (if using) to the mixing glass. Add 2 oz Knob Creek bourbon and 0.5 oz Elizabeth Pecan liqueur. Fill the mixing glass with large ice cubes and stir gently for 20–30 seconds until well-chilled and slightly diluted (aim for about 15–20% dilution for an Old Fashioned).

Strain and serve

If you used a separate mixing glass, strain the chilled cocktail over a single large ice cube or sphere in a rocks glass. If you built directly in the serving glass, simply top with the large ice and give one gentle stir to combine.

Garnish & Finish

Express the orange peel: hold the peel over the glass with the outside facing down above the drink and give it a firm twist to spray the oils onto the surface; then rub the peel around the rim and drop it into the drink.

Add a toasted pecan half on a pick and rest it across the rim or float it on the ice. Add one cinnamon stick to the glass for aroma.

Finish with a light dusting of dark chocolate shavings over the drink (about 1 tsp) or, if preferred, add a drop of chocolate bitters on the surface for a more subtle chocolate note.