Smoke the cherries in a wood smoker with Alder wood chips for 45 minutes to 1 hour, until dark and soft. Remove carefully and allow to cool before proceeding.
Make the smoked cherry simple syrup by dissolving the sugar in the water in a small sauce pan over low heat. Add ½ cup of the smoked cherries to the syrup and allow to sit overnight in an airtight container. Strain and discard the cherries.
To Make the Smoked Cherry Old Fashioned Cocktail:
Add a spoonful of smoked cherries to the bottom of the glass, muddle. Add ice, smoked cherry simple syrup, bitters and whiskey. Serve with an orange peel or smoked cherry for garnish.