Cocktail of the Month: The Smoked Old Fashioned
By • June 10, 2025 0 110
My cocktail arrives covered with a smoky dome. I spy liquid-gold bourbon and orange slices through the white fog. Other patrons turn their heads and admire this creative presentation. A pair of regulars to my left nod approvingly.
As the mist gradually fades, I lift the sniffer from atop my drink. A trail of vapor slowly drifts out, filling the air with a sensual, woody aroma. I inhale a sharp earthy scent that grows more piquant as I raise my glass. What follows is a bold and charcoal-like — yet sweet — delight.
This enchanting cocktail, the Smoked Old Fashioned, is the signature drink at the bar at the historic Union Hotel in Everett, Pennsylvania.
Before John Patton bought land from the Virginia Colony in 1738 and settled there, Everett — just a two-hour-and-fifteen-minute drive from Georgetown — was home to Native Americans. Initially known as Aliquippa Town, after Chief Alliquippa, its name changed to Bloody Run in 1755, marking a brutal conflict between the settlers and Native Americans. It wasn’t until 1873 that the town became known as Everett.
Elizabeth Tussey established the first tavern and trading post in 1769. Since then, the business changed names and took on different forms. In 1861, a jail and a post office were located in the basement. During the Civil War, it was occupied by Union troops led by Maj. Gen . Robert Huston Milroy, after their defeat at the second battle of Winchester. It became known as the Union Hotel in 1863.
The hotel closed in 2016, remaining shuttered for six years until new owners Mona and Randy Shaw turned it into a boutique inn and restaurant with a focus on wellness treatments such as reiki, naturopathy and hypnosis. Its highly rated dining and quaint charm make it an ideal getaway from the Washington, D.C., area.
I had the pleasure of making a weekend excursion to the Union Hotel with two of my besties in early May. Our accommodation, a spacious Jacuzzi suite, had a lovely sitting room perfect for conversation. We enjoyed taking our coffee on the front porch while relaxing in rocking chairs.
However, the uncovered treasure here is the bar, where Matthew Thomas Gasper has created a genteel atmosphere. Matt, who has a nomad-like background, now calls this cozy spot home, ruling the bar with distinction.
Even though it was crunch time when I ordered my first cocktail, I noticed that Matt took care to craft my drink with precision. It did not disappoint.
Later I was able to chat with him about the process of creating this technical tipple. While the Old Fashioned is one of the world’s oldest cocktails, Matt has definitely put his fingerprint on this particular variation.
He starts with Bulleit bourbon, which imparts just enough tang to make the drink interesting. He goes big on the orange, choosing thick slices which he expertly muddles — enough to generate a vivid zest, but gently enough to avoid any pulpiness. He also amps up the complimentary components: a double punch of locally sourced orange bitters and Angostura bitters. These bold additions act as a sublime foil to the smoky richness.
The process includes a portable handheld smoker, fired with beechwood to create the flavorful fog that he carefully captures in a sniffer. This gets placed atop a dimpled rocks glass to infuse the woody taste into the liquid. The final display looks like a mysterious misty bubble.
With every sip, a smoldering flavor mingled with the orange pieces and piquant bitters, imparting a sophisticated satisfaction. The attention-grabbing presentation was backed up with exceptional service.
“The experience makes a huge difference,” Matt says. “I’ve learned how to take care of people and see what they need. The whole experience makes it special and gives them what they are searching for.” He adds: “I want them to feel like they’re number one.”
