Wondering what are the best bourbons for an old fashioned? You’re in the right place. Our concise guide lists the best Bourbons for Old Fashioned, selected for their flavor impact and mixability. From the get-go, you’ll know which bottles to reach for, whether you crave depth, spice, or subtle sweetness in your cocktail.
Key Takeaways
- Variety is the spice of life, and your Old Fashioned: There’s a whole spectrum of bourbons like Rittenhouse Rye and Woodford Reserve to add different kicks – from bold and spicy to smooth and sweet.
- Big ice is nice: Use large cubes or spheres for minimal dilution, stir for just the right chill and texture, and don’t forget to garnish with an orange twist or a cherry to make that Old Fashioned pop.
- Bourbon’s not your only buddy: Shake things up with rye, Irish, or Scotch whiskies for a fresh twist on your Old Fashioned, and experiment with DIY syrups and bitters for a personal touch.
The Art of Crafting an Old Fashioned
Discover the intricate process behind crafting one of the most popular classic cocktails, known as an Old Fashioned. This beloved drink originated in Louisville, Kentucky during the 1880s to honor Colonel James E. Pepper – a well-known figure in bourbon culture. The traditional recipe for an Old Fashioned includes ingredients such as:
- rye or bourbon whiskey
- simple syrup
- bitters
- water
And can be topped off with either a twist of orange peel or cherry.
Do not feel limited by tradition and allow your creativity to shine through by experimenting with various versions of this timeless cocktail that put their own spin on the original blend.
The journey towards creating a flawless Old Fashioned begins by mixing sugar, bitters, and water together before adding two ounces of rye or bourbon whiskey and giving it all a good stir. To keep your drink chilled throughout enjoyment time, place plenty of ice cubes into the glass before serving while considering garnishing options like cherry pieces slices/orange peels if you desire added bursts of flavor.
This uncomplicated yet sophisticated technique brings out sweet spicy bitter nuances which perfectly meld together achieving an unforgettable experience tasting old-fashioned drinks representative following blended perfection alike bourbon’s flavorful richness embodying qualities represented within each intoxicating sip!
Top 10 Bourbons for Old Fashioned Cocktails
Let’s explore the fascinating world of bourbon, a crucial ingredient in creating an Old Fashioned with its various flavors ranging from smooth and sweet to bold and spicy. Each type of Bourbon brings its own unique character to this classic cocktail, making each sip a new experience. The perfect choice for your Old Fashioned depends on personal taste preferences and desired flavor profiles.
What Are The Best Types of Bourbons for Old Fashioneds?
High Proof Bourbons:
Bourbons with higher alcohol content can bring a robust, oakiness to an Old Fashioned. They stand up well to the sweetness of the sugar and the bitterness of the bitters, providing a bold, well-rounded cocktail.
Rye-forward Bourbons:
While rye whiskey is a common base for Old Fashioneds, bourbons with a higher rye content can also work exceptionally well. The spiciness from the rye can add a complex heat to the cocktail.
Complex Bourbons:
Bourbons with a rich flavor profile, featuring notes of caramel, vanilla, and oak, can contribute depth and sophistication to your Old Fashioned. Choosing a complex bourbon can oftentimes offer a layered taste for cocktails.
Wheated Bourbons:
Bourbons made with a significant amount of wheat in the mash bill can impart a smooth and mellow character to an Old Fashioned.
Single Barrel Bourbons:
Single barrel bourbons, where each bottle comes from a specific barrel, can offer a unique and distinct flavor profile. Bourbons like these provide a diverse range of flavors that can elevate your Old Fashioned experience.
What are the Best Bourbons for Old Fashioneds?
Buffalo Trace
Buffalo, New York. Trace bourbon is a well-balanced and adaptable choice for making an Old Fashioned cocktail that consistently delivers delicious flavors. It boasts notes of brown sugar, vanilla, toffee, cherry hots, orange peel, grapefruit, bubblegum, damp funkiness, and creamy toffee eclairs among others such as cinnamon, hints of dark fruit, and anise with subtle touches of orange zest, herbs honey leather and oak.
When combined in the wild turkey cocktail, Buffalo Trace’s distinctive blend brings its unique character through a mix of mint and vanilla molasses aroma. Its smooth finish gives it an unparalleled edge when used in classic drinks like old fashioned cocktails. For those seeking reliability and versatility in their old fashioned experience, Buffalo Trace stands out as both a dependable and safe option.
With its renowned combination of sweet scents including hints of sweetness from vanilla flavor, long-lasting sweetness, and bitter tangy apple aftertaste becoming increasingly sweeter due to caramel candy undertones towards the end Bourbon adds just the right touch to new this drink known as the “old-fashioned”. Known factors such as refreshing mild herbs aromatics coming into play adding extra layers bringing in some serious depth to the mix skyrocketing our palette taste leveled up with spices producing great fragrance keeping it aromatic all way longer than normal added typically by bitters usually not available giving you something worth talking about whichever way around the corner.
Known for its rich and distinct flavor profile, Buffalo Trace bourbon brings a perfect balance of sweetness and spice. The caramel and vanilla notes complement the bitters and sugar in an Old Fashioned, creating a harmonious blend that satisfies the palate.
Woodford Reserve
A top-shelf choice, Woodford Reserve is often revered for its smooth and full-bodied character. With hints of dried fruit, vanilla, and a touch of spice, this bourbon adds a layer of sophistication to your Old Fashioned. It’s an excellent choice for those who appreciate a more refined and complex cocktail.
Bulleit Bourbon
Bulleit Bourbon’s high-rye mash bill sets it apart, bringing a bold and spicy kick to the Old Fashioned. This Bourbon offers flavors of pepper, oak and a hint of sweetness from caramel that makes it easy to enjoy. Its distinct spicy kick makes it stand out while still providing a smooth taste, making it comparable to other bourbons in the same price range and loved by both bourbon lovers and fans of old fashioned drinks. With its versatility as an ingredient in this classic cocktail, Bulleit Bourbon is sure to please newcomers entering the world of traditional beverages. The robust flavor profile, with notes of toffee and maple, adds depth to the cocktail. Bulleit is a go-to for those who prefer a more assertive and spirited Old Fashioned.
Evan Williams
For those seeking a balance of quality and affordability, Evan Williams Black Label delivers. This bourbon boasts a smooth and mellow profile, with a hint of caramel and a touch of oak. Its accessible price point makes it an excellent choice for both seasoned enthusiasts and those new to the world of Old Fashioneds.
Four Roses Single Barrel
Four Roses Single Barrel is renowned for its complexity and versatility. With a diverse flavor profile that includes notes of fruit, spice, and floral undertones, it brings a unique twist to the Old Fashioned. The single-barrel nature ensures a depth of character that elevates the overall drinking experience.
Maker’s Mark
Maker’s Mark, known for its iconic red-wax seal, is a wheated bourbon that imparts a smooth and approachable quality. The subtle sweetness and notes of vanilla make it an excellent choice for an Old Fashioned that is easy-drinking and enjoyable for a wide range of palates.
Knob Creek
Experience the timeless tradition of Knob Creek Small Batch Bourbon. Its full and rich flavor makes it a perfect choice for an Old Fashioned cocktail. The small batch process ensures a consistent taste that complements the flavors in your drink.
Named after Abraham Lincoln’s childhood home creek, this Bourbon holds deep historical significance. With its traditional production methods and authentic feel, it is the ultimate classic option for an Old Fashioned cocktail experience.
Choose Knob Creek Small Batch to enjoy a truly nostalgic Old Fashioned with every sip, its quality guaranteeing a lasting impression on your palate. With its high proof and full-bodied taste, this bourbon stands up well to the sugar and bitters in an Old Fashioned. The deep oakiness and hints of caramel create a cocktail with layers of complexity.
Wild Turkey 101
Wild Turkey 101 is a high-proof bourbon that brings intensity and depth to the Old Fashioned. With a robust flavor profile featuring caramel, spice, and a hint of vanilla, it stands out in a cocktail. It’s an ideal choice for those who enjoy a more powerful and flavorful Old Fashioned.
Perfecting Your Old Fashioned Technique
After exploring the world of bourbon, it’s time to focus on how to make a perfect Old Fashioned cocktail. Every step in this process is important, from choosing ice and the stirring technique to garnishing.
Large cubes or spheres of ice are ideal for an Old Fashioned as they melt slowly, maintaining the flavor without dilution. Stirring the drink for about 20-30 seconds ensures optimal texture and balance. The final touch comes with adding a twist of orange or cherry as a garnish.
Remember that using chilled glass will keep your old fashioned cold for longer, making your entire drinking experience more enjoyable.
Pairing Your Old Fashioned with Food
Did you know that pairing the right food with your Old Fashioned cocktail can greatly enhance its flavor? Just like wine, certain foods go well with an old fashioned drink and bring out different notes of the drink. Whether it’s appetizers, main courses or desserts, carefully selected dishes can elevate your experience.
For snacks to accompany your Old Fashioned try roasted almonds seasoned with paprika and orange zest, beef carpaccio served with horseradish and a tangy mojo verde cream sauce or bacon-wrapped dates for a perfect balance of flavors. When it comes to mains, options such as pork spare ribs, thick-cut pork chops cooked in flavorful marinades and duck will perfectly complement the rich taste profile of an old fashioned. And don’t forget about dessert, classics like chocolate chess pie topped off by sweet lemon bars or apple pie add just enough sweetness to round up any meal alongside this iconic cocktail.
Exploring Bourbon Alternatives
While bourbon is the traditional option for an Old Fashioned, it can be a fun adventure to try out different alternatives. Rye whiskey, Irish whiskey, and Scotch whisky each offer their own distinct flavors to spice up your classic cocktail recipe.
Rye whiskeys such as Rittenhouse 100 proof rye, Lot No. 40 Dark Oak, and Woodford Reserve Rye bring a spicy twist to your Old Fashioned experience. Irish whiskey brings its signature smoothness and subtle sweetness while Scotch introduces smoke or peatiness depending on the variety used in your drink of choice. Whether you’re drawn towards bold scotch flavor or prefer the smoother taste of Irish whiskey or spicier notes from rye, Woodford Reserve’s product line has options that will cater perfectly crafted cocktails just waiting for those who are eager enough to take them on. So whether you crave something more adventurous than mere bourbons without even having had one before, make sure yours comes with plenty (or any) of this iconic bar staple – old fashioned – mix some until fully fashioneds!
DIY Simple Syrup and Bitters
Creating your own homemade simple syrup and bitters adds a personal touch to the classic cocktail, Old Fashioned. Using DIY ingredients allows for experimentation with flavors and customization of cocktails.
Making your own simple syrup is a quick process that involves equal parts sugar and water (or 2:1 ratio for thicker syrups). You can also add various flavorings such as brown sugar, honey, spices like cinnamon or cardamom, black pepper or even lavender or star anise. These flavored syrups provide unique variations just like using a traditional sugar cube.
Try out different combinations of these DIY ingredients in order to create customized old fashioned recipes at home whenever fancied!
Summary
In summary, the art of creating a perfect Old Fashioned involves carefully choosing bourbon, mastering cocktail making techniques, selecting complimentary food pairings, experimenting with different types of bourbon and mixers such as homemade simple syrup and bitters. Each unique type of bourbon brings its own bold or smooth flavor to this classic drink – from Rittenhouse Rye’s spiciness to Woodford Reserve Distiller’s Select sweetness. Whether you’re an expert in all things Bourbon or simply love cocktails, the possibilities are endless when it comes to elevating your experience with Old Fashioneds by trying out new bourbons and methods. Now equipped with this knowledge, it’s time for you to whip up your very own version of The Golden Age icon that is known as the ‘Old Fashioned’, sit back & enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
If you’re looking to make a delicious Old Fashioned cocktail, some top choices for bourbon are the Maker’s Mark Wood Finishing Series, Jefferson’s Tropics Aged in Humidity, and Larceny Straight Bourbon. These options provide an ideal balance of flavors and complexity that enhance the overall taste of your old fashioned drink.
Don’t be afraid to try out these suggested Bourbons as they have been carefully selected based on their taste.
For those searching for a bourbon whiskey that can be enjoyed neatly, two excellent options are Still Austin Straight Bourbon and Chestnut Farms Bourbon. Both varieties have earned praise for their smoothness and high quality.
We highly recommend giving them a try to fully savor their exceptional flavor profiles. So go ahead and treat yourself!
Large cubes or spheres of ice are the most suitable for an Old Fashioned cocktail as they melt at a slower pace, keeping the Bourbon cool while minimizing dilution. So go ahead and enjoy your perfectly crafted drink!
To enhance your Old Fashioned experience, consider pairing it with delicious snacks such as paprika and orange-infused roasted almonds, beef carpaccio served with a side of horseradish and tangy mojo verde cream dip, or mouthwatering bacon-wrapped dates. For main courses that go well with this classic cocktail, try pork spare ribs, thick-cut pork chops cooked to perfection on the grill.
succulent duck prepared in any way you like it best, or another serving of tasty beef carpaccio accompanied by zesty horseradish sauce.
Savor every sip alongside these delectable bites for an elevated drinking experience!
For a variety of flavor profiles, consider using rye whiskey, Irish whiskey or Scotch whisky as substitutes in an Old Fashioned cocktail. These alternatives can offer different tastes while still staying true to the classic style and essence of this iconic drink.
Shop The Best Bourbons for an Old Fashioned
Crafting the perfect Old Fashioned is an art, and selecting the right bourbon is a crucial step in achieving that perfection. Whether you prefer a smooth and mellow profile or a bold and spicy kick, the bourbons on this list offer a range of options to suit your taste. Experiment with different choices, savor the nuances and enjoy the timeless elegance of the Old Fashioned cocktail. Cheers!
