Jason Littrell loves Laird's Bonded Apple Brandy. He even named this drink after the brandy's distillery in Virginia. Essentially a heady apple-brandy Old-Fashioned, it marries the smoke of Scotch with a hint of woody bourbon.

Demerara Syrup
1 cup demerara sugar
½ cup water

Dash Angostura Bitters
1 teaspoon rich demerara syrup
¼ ounce scotch, preferably Laphroaig 10-Year Islay Scotch
¾ ounce bourbon, preferably Buffalo Trace Bourbon
1½ ounce apple brandy, preferably Laird's Bonded Apple Brandy
Ice

1. Make the demerara syrup: In a large pot set over high heat, combine the demerara sugar and water and heat, stirring occasionally until dissolved. Set aside to cool and store in the refrigerator.

2. Make the cocktail: In a mixing glass, combine the bitters, 1 teaspoon of the reserved demerara syrup, Scotch, bourbon and apple brandy. Stir the ingredients. Pour into a rocks glass filled with ice. Serve.