The Old Fashioned: the whiskey lover’s cocktail, and not old-fashioned at all! The Old Fashioned is a simple cocktail composed of whisk(e)y, sugar, a dash of bitters and a twist of orange. First served at the Waldorf Astoria Bar in New York City, it has always been a classy drink showing off a fantastic spirit, but what whiskeys should you try? Here’s our list of some great whiskeys for a top notch Old Fashioned.
Wild Turkey Longbranch
Wild Turkey Longbranch is a small batch, 8 year old Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey and a collaboration between Wild Turkey master distiller Eddie Russell and the brand's creative director – award-winning actor Matthew McConaughey. The sweet citrus and spices of this bourbon make it perfect for an Old Fashioned, complementing Angostura bitters delectably.
ABV: 43%
Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
Find it here: UK £35.94 // US $34.99
Ezra Brooks Bourbon
Ezra Brooks is a great entry level bourbon if you’re looking for a perfect bourbon without the hefty price tag. The recipe was first produced in 1950 as a competitor to Jack Daniels and the company was even sued by the global whiskey superpower (though JD did end up losing…)! Caramel and vanilla combine together with hints of spice and chocolate giving it a lovely warm finish definitely worthy of an Old Fashioned.
ABV: 40%
Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
Find it here: UK £25.90 // US $20.99
Bulleit Rye
The only non bourbon on the list, but it makes a stunning Old Fashioned. The high rye content gives a better balance between the whiskey and the sugar in the cocktail meaning your Old Fashioned won’t be overly sweet, as can sometimes be the case. Bulleit Bourbon has been an Old Fashioned favourite for a while, with its higher rye content, but it’s definitely worth trying this whiskey too!
ABV: 45%
Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
Find it here: UK £35.20 // US $37.99
Woodford Reserve Double Oaked
In its distinctive bottle, Woodford Reserve can get you licking your lips before you even get your hands on it. The Double Oaked is perhaps the most complex of their range, being aged firstly in a standard Woodford Reserve barrel before being moved to a heavily toasted and charred barrel. The bourbon itself has notes of dark fruits combined with beautiful caramel chocolate, roasted hazelnuts and marzipan and in an Old Fashioned, its complexities really shine making it a cocktail to truly be savoured.
ABV: 43.2%
Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
Find it here: £45.89 // US $58.99
Buffalo Trace Bourbon
Buffalo Trace is another big name in both the Old Fashioned lover community and on the shelves of many a craft bartender. This whiskey has won multiple awards over the years, notably achieving Gold in the American Whiskey Masters 2020, a title it has held since 2017. An Old Fashioned made with Buffalo Trace is smooth, with subtle spice and the bourbon itself is also brilliant value for money, so it is very much worth adding a bottle to your bar cart.
ABV: 40%
Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
Find it here: UK £26.40 // US $34.99
Knob Creek Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Knob Creek is a bold, flavourful bourbon and bottled at 100 proof leads to a very strong old fashioned. The simplicity of the Old Fashioned cocktail really helps the rich robustness of Knob Creek shine, with its notes of candy floss, a hint of dark chocolate, and a little charred oak. We would definitely recommend the use of ice while mixing up this Old Fashioned to release more of the aromas and flavours but for a bourbon under £40, Knob Creek really delivers.
ABV: 50%
Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
Find it here: UK £34.45 // US $47.99
Fancy trying out a Scotch whisky alternative? The, head over to The Dalmore Old Fashioned or, if it’s an entirely different cocktail you after then we have plenty here!