Smoky Grove

About the Smoky Grove

Timber Creek Florida Single Malt Whiskey is the backbone of the Smoky Grove, a stirred, spirit forward cocktail rounded out with Angostura and house orange bitters and a duo of sweet and dry vermouth. It is served up in a chilled coupe with a flamed orange twist, making it a cousin of the classic Perfect Manhattan built specifically around Timber Creek’s single malt. What sets this drink apart is how the two vermouths split the difference: the Carpano Antica brings raisin and cocoa depth while the Dolin dry keeps things from turning too sweet, and both bitters layer in baking spice and citrus oil that echo the whiskey’s own grain character. Because the single malt is produced through Timber Creek’s PureBlend process, with grains distilled separately and aged in individual barrels before blending, it arrives with a rounded, malty sweetness that holds up to the vermouth rather than getting buried by it.

To build the Smoky Grove, combine the whiskey, both vermouths, and both bitters in a mixing glass with ice and stir until well chilled, since shaking would rough up a spirit forward drink like this one. Strain into a chilled coupe and finish with a flamed orange twist, expressing the oils directly over the surface of the drink. It pairs naturally with smoky, savory food: think barbecue ribs, smoked pork, or a plate of cornbread and baked beans, where the whiskey’s char and spice notes echo what is happening on the grill. Coleslaw on the side offers a cool, acidic counterpoint.

Because this drink is entirely spirit and modifiers with no citrus or soda to lengthen it, the quality of the ice used for stirring matters more than usual; large, dense cubes melt slower and give a cleaner dilution than small bar ice, which can water the drink down too quickly. Drink it slowly and know your limit; a stirred, spirit forward cocktail like this one is meant to be savored, not rushed.

Timber Creek Florida Single Malt Whiskey is the backbone of the Smoky Grove, a stirred, spirit forward cocktail rounded out with Angostura and house orange bitters and a duo of sweet and dry vermouth. It is served up in a chilled coupe with a flamed orange twist, making it a cousin of the classic Perfect Manhattan built specifically around Timber Creek’s single malt. What sets this drink apart is how the two vermouths split the difference: the Carpano Antica brings raisin and cocoa depth while the Dolin dry keeps things from turning too sweet, and both bitters layer in baking spice and citrus oil that echo the whiskey’s own grain character. Because the single malt is produced through Timber Creek’s PureBlend process, with grains distilled separately and aged in individual barrels before blending, it arrives with a rounded, malty sweetness that holds up to the vermouth rather than getting buried by it.

To build the Smoky Grove, combine the whiskey, both vermouths, and both bitters in a mixing glass with ice and stir until well chilled, since shaking would rough up a spirit forward drink like this one. Strain into a chilled coupe and finish with a flamed orange twist, expressing the oils directly over the surface of the drink. It pairs naturally with smoky, savory food: think barbecue ribs, smoked pork, or a plate of cornbread and baked beans, where the whiskey’s char and spice notes echo what is happening on the grill. Coleslaw on the side offers a cool, acidic counterpoint.

Because this drink is entirely spirit and modifiers with no citrus or soda to lengthen it, the quality of the ice used for stirring matters more than usual; large, dense cubes melt slower and give a cleaner dilution than small bar ice, which can water the drink down too quickly. Drink it slowly and know your limit; a stirred, spirit forward cocktail like this one is meant to be savored, not rushed.