Smoked Old Fashioned from The Finley

There’s just something about The Finley (206 E. Elm Street, Ozark, 417-582-1912) that makes you want to feel old fashioned. It probably has to do with the fact that the bar is in the form of a speakeasy in the basement of an old church. The fine-dining experience lends itself to that desire, too. I know I’m not the only one who feels the need to lift a pinky when eating at a restaurant that serves risotto. So, it felt natural to me to order the Smoked Old Fashioned on a recent trip to The Finley. Rarely do I drink whisky, but, like I said, this restaurant just begs you to do it. Of course, this isn’t just any old fashioned, either. Woodford Reserve Bourbon is mixed with Angostura bitters and fresh orange peel before getting immersed in a cloud of smoke. This is what creates the aromatic-infused, put-some-hair-on-your-chest flavor that this particular old fashioned evokes. Of course, knowing that you’re sipping on something strong inside an old renovated church definitely elevates the experience. And that’s exactly what this drink is—an experience.