Old Fashioned

[Brent Yamamoto]

I love Old Fashioneds, but not every recipe is equal and not every bartender makes them well. I am always on the lookout for a good recipe…it’s not a complicated drink but ingredients matter.

Basic ingredients- whiskey, bitters, some kind of sweetener, a cherry and orange peel. Some recipes call for muddling the maraschino cherry, sugar cube, bitters and orange peel, others call for just using the fruit as garnish. Both ways can be good.

And of course the whiskey you use will make a difference. I don’t want to use really expensive whiskey for a mixed drink, but I don’t like using cheap stuff either. A decent whiskey or bourbon will simply taste better (of course, just use whatever whiskey you like best). I find middle of the road whiskeys work pretty well.

Just playing around, I came up with this mix last night and was very pleased.

I used Westward American Single Malt Whiskey - this is kind of a unique beast. It’s made with malted barley, like scotch, but not peated so it doesn’t have that smoky, phenolic kind if scotch flavor. But it has that fullness of distilled malt barley, and it’s smoother relative to other grains. Also, it’s decent to sip, but not my favorite sipping whiskey so it’s not sacrilegious to use it for a mixed drink. A bit spendy for this purpose perhaps, but fuck it. It tastes good.

62280

I picked up these bitters the other day, supposedly this recipe is specifically for Old Fashioneds. I can vouch that it’s not great for standard bitters but does taste pretty good in an Old Fashioned.

62281

Finally, decent cherries. These are Washington bing cherries and they are delicious. WAY better than whatever that shit is that you get in the bar, and way better than the fancy, expensive Luxcardo stuff from Italy. And reasonable too. You can get em on Amazon.
62282

2 oz whisky
3 dashes of bitters
Teaspoon brown sugar
Cherry and twist of orange peel

Build it in the glass.
Teaspoon of brown sugar, a dash of water, and 3 dashes of bitters. Muddle to crush and mix the sugar well.
Add the whiskey, stir well.
Add ice. Toss the cherry in, twist the orange peel over the top and toss that in as well.

Some whiskeys and recipes can be very watery. This mix has body and complexity. It’s smooth, but still has the bite you want from a good whiskey, yet not too hot. Very easy to drink and has a lot of complex flavor.

If bargain whiskey is your thing, this one is probably not to your taste. But for those that appreciate finer whiskeys, it might be up your alley.

[scottscarparts2u]

Sounds delicious


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[SEANSTRAIT]

Old Fashioneds are one of my favorite cocktails, your recipe looks fantastic.

[jesselp]

Try making an old fashioned but substitute a good mezcal for the whiskey. One of my favorite cocktails!

[Brent Yamamoto]

Try making an old fashioned but substitute a good mezcal for the whiskey. One of my favorite cocktails!

Interesting. I don’t know mezcal well, any recommendations?

[45Smashemflat]

I typically drink bourbon with bitters and an ice cube. I’ve recently started experimenting with Old Fashioneds. Thanks for the suggestions!

I did find this bourbon recently, and really like it.

62283

[twinboysdad]

Wild Turkey 101 is by far the best bourbon for these.

[jesselp]

Interesting. I don’t know mezcal well, any recommendations?

I'm not super knowledgeable about mezcal. My issue is finding a bottle that is nice enough not to taste like turpentine but also not $80 because I’m going to be mixing it. I usually go with the recommendation of a knowledgeable liquor store owner. Right know I’m working my way through a bottle from Mezcal Mal Bien and it’s quite tasty. If I recall, it was $35-$40 so I don’t feel bad mixing it.

62284

[CZ Man]

I was a skeptic at first, but a friend introduced to me to an 'Irish Old Fashioned' made with Jameson Whisky. Surprisingly good with a decent cherry and it doesn't break the bank.

Brent, I may have to try those cherries you mentioned as I've found for me that's a key component to a decent Old Fashioned.

[Air Pirate]

Here’s my absolute favorite…
Conjures thoughts of a cold night by a crackling fire with a dog and old book.

2 oz Larceny Bourbon
.25 oz Maple Syrup
3-5 dashes Coffee-Pecan Bitters

[apamburn]

I've tried a few old fashioned with different whiskeys at home and at restaurants, even upscale, and still haven't found one I like.

I do however love sours.

Whiskey and / or amaretto sours. When I make them I like to add a splash of cherry syrup. Delicious.

[Cody C]

I've tried a few old fashioned with different whiskeys at home and at restaurants, even upscale, and still haven't found one I like.

I do however love sours.

Whiskey and / or amaretto sours. When I make them I like to add a splash of cherry syrup. Delicious.If you google apple cinnamon old fashioned that may be up your alley. They are tasty. I generally use gentleman jack for mixing. I've also used Stellum bourbon also with good results.

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[Captain Ron]

These have become more popular recently, for some reason. I’m not a fan at all, I drink my whiskey straight, over ice, or maybe with a splash of water if I want to sip on it longer. No thanks at all to any added sweeteners, although the maple syrup Air Pirate mentioned might get me to try one again.

[Brent Yamamoto]

These have become more popular recently, for some reason. I’m not a fan at all, I drink my whiskey straight, over ice, or maybe with a splash of water if I want to sip on it longer. No thanks at all to any added sweeteners, although the maple syrup Air Pirate mentioned might get me to try one again.

Popularity of cocktails comes and goes. For myself, I'm happy that some of the old classics manage to survive. And part of the fun is trying different things.

For me, it all depends on the whiskey and what I'm in the mood for. There are some that are excellent straight, and some that are excellent in a cocktail.

Also, keeping in mind that the ladies often prefer cocktails to straight whiskey - well, it's good to have options...

[twinboysdad]

I was a skeptic at first, but a friend introduced to me to an 'Irish Old Fashioned' made with Jameson Whisky. Surprisingly good with a decent cherry and it doesn't break the bank.

Brent, I may have to try those cherries you mentioned as I've found for me that's a key component to a decent Old Fashioned.
Local mixologist made me same with Laugavulin and it was…interesting. Glad I had one, wouldn’t wanted a second

[Brent Yamamoto]

Local mixologist made me same with Laugavulin and it was…interesting. Glad I had one, wouldn’t wanted a second

Now that’s an example of sacrilege!

[callmebubba]

A friend of my sister just took off on an obsession with mixology and made them for me and my BIL with whiskey she had infused with beeswax. I cannot explain what that changes exactly but it was far and away the best one I’ve ever had. I’ll text her for notes and be back soon.

[Brent Yamamoto]

Beeswax! That is fascinating. Interested to hear more

[callmebubba]

She sent me this link. She paid for the masterclass and every drink she’s made me (including things I would never order) has been fantastic. She did have them readymade in a beeswax lined bottle when we arrived.

https://www.masterclass.com/articles/ryan-chetiyawardanas-beeswax-old-fashioned-recipe#what-is-a-beeswax-old-fashioned

[Captain Ron]

Popularity of cocktails comes and goes. For myself, I'm happy that some of the old classics manage to survive. And part of the fun is trying different things.

For me, it all depends on the whiskey and what I'm in the mood for. There are some that are excellent straight, and some that are excellent in a cocktail.

Also, keeping in mind that the ladies often prefer cocktails to straight whiskey - well, it's good to have options...
I tried one recently for the first time and it was horrible. Reading the posts here I’m hoping they made me a bad one, it was really sweet. I’m willing to try it again, because whiskey is whiskey and whiskey is good!

I’m married, and the wife loves whiskey neat, so no worries there. :grin:

[Brent Yamamoto]

I tried one recently for the first time and it was horrible. Reading the posts here I’m hoping they made me a bad one, it was really sweet. I’m willing to try it again, because whiskey is whiskey and whiskey is good!

I’m married, and the wife loves whiskey neat, so no worries there. :grin:

It's really easy to screw up certain cocktails. In fact, the simpler the cocktail is, the easier it is to screw it up. I tend to like the drinks that are very "pure", old school recipes that really do depend on the quality of the ingredients and the skill of the bartender.

I like Manhattans too, but 9 out of 10 places can't make one that's worth a shit. The Old Fashioned is a little more forgiving but not much. Too much sugar and it will be bad. A whiskey you don't like, it will be bad. Mixed poorly...you get the idea. I've had some that were wonderful, a lot that were drinkable, and a few that went down the drain.

Of course everyone's taste is different. A well-made drink is still shit if it's not your speed.

Honestly, not that I go out that much, but I pretty much stay away from cocktails in most bars because I know it won't be very good.

[Air Pirate]

That’s the truth! As a gin guy I can attest to many places not even being able a decent gin’n’tonic. I’ve been places that used simple syrup or pre-mixes for Old Fashion’s.

i second the bees wax infusion. I haven’t had a chance to try it yet, but watched the same class and it’s on my to-do list!

[Brent Yamamoto]

Air Pirate, tell us more about gin. What do you like and what’s worth knowing about? I still feel relatively clueless about gin.

[IANative]

Brent, I've had Old Fashioneds in all 57 states... well, all of them I've been to, anyway. My favorite cocktail, and also the one I'm most critical of. When they're good, they're glorious; when they're bad, they're horrible. (For instance, who in the hell puts a splash of soda water in an Old Fashioned?!) There are a few trendier establishments in my AO that have perfected them, including one that offers a Pecan Old Fashioned that is probably the best I've ever had. (Bulleit bourbon, pecan bitters, sugar, fruit and topped w/ smoky/sweet toasted walnuts.) But I digress...

Making them at home myself has always been a bit challenging. I can make them ok, but I'm not consistent. My easy button is the premixed Old Fashioned cocktail from Eli Mason (https://elimason.com/). Then it's just combining your bourbon with the amount of Eli Mason that fits your taste, and adding your fruit.

As far as the spirits go, my preferred bourbon for Old Fashioneds is Four Roses. On occasion, I'll spice it up a bit with a rye instead. Templeton Rye works, so does Bulleit Rye, but my favorite is Standard Proof (https://www.standardproofwhiskey.com/ourrye)'s Pecan Rye.

[ShopMonkey]

just to mix it up a little every once in awhile, an old fashioned also drinks well using a good rye whiskey

[SEANSTRAIT]

just to mix it up a little every once in awhile, an old fashioned also drinks well using a good rye whiskey

Yes! I love rye whiskies and like to make the occasional Old Fashioned with it.

[IANative]

Birthday Old Fashioned…

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20211229/1529b76ed406c977e6cd769c535cf584.jpg

[steve_k]

Always interesting to see these drink threads. This might be one for me to try out the next time I am at an establishment that serves such items. Lately it's been vodka and soda water for me since cut back quite a bit on carbs (and down ~12lbs for my efforts). But the vodka and soda water can get boring at times and I will pour a glass of Bulleit Bourbon to sip on.

[Jon Payne]

A good Old Fashioned is my favorite cocktail followed by Manhattan’s, and Dirty Martinis. A local TexMex joint makes me Tequila Old Fashions.


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[RedLeg0811]

Totally agree with what you guys have said. In the last 2-3 years I have been getting Old Fashioned cocktails. Like Brent said, when they are bad they are bad, but when they are good... The best one I have had was sweetened with maple syrup like Air Pirate said, but I don't know what else it had in it. Good flavor and not overly sweet.

I used to be a bourbon guy many many years ago, but that was when all I knew was cheap stuff and rot gut scotch. Once I was introduced to good stuff I have been a scotch and Irish whiskey. The cheap Jameson is not bad, but they do make some good stuff. I have really liked Red Breast. But I don't mix the scotch or good Irish whiskey.

I have never been a fan of Rye Whiskey. That being said Woodinville Whiskey has tasty whiskey, but their Rye Whiskey is the one I end up buying as it is really tasty.

Brent if you have not done a tasting there, we should get some of the guys together and go. There is also another distillery in Maltby which I have been meaning to try.

Martin

[45Smashemflat]

Shout out to Cooper’s Craft. I newer bourbon from Brown and Foreman, the folks who own Jack Daniels. Took it for a spin in an old fashioned, a good match.

[David Bowman]

That is in my top 5 of cocktails to enjoy. If you are looking for a quick cocktail after work or in front of the fire, one of my friends introduced me to this stuff:

62587

It is a 1:1 mix with your favorite whiskey. Muddle your fruit and throw in some ice and instant Old Fashioned.

30 dollars for a 3 pack on Amazon.:lol:

[jesselp]

62588
Local rye whiskey and maple syrup aged in used bourbon barrels. Pretty good stuff for a maple rye old fashioned.

[Jons999]

That is in my top 5 of cocktails to enjoy. If you are looking for a quick cocktail after work or in front of the fire, one of my friends introduced me to this stuff:

62587

It is a 1:1 mix with your favorite whiskey. Muddle your fruit and throw in some ice and instant Old Fashioned.

30 dollars for a 3 pack on Amazon.:lol:


This is what I use as well. My local grocery store has it for for like $9 a bottle. This is the only old fashioned mix that i actually like.

One thing I like to do with my old fashioneds is take a hardwood board like oak and light a spot in the middle of it on fire with a little butane torch (like for soldering or crème brûlée), then put your glass overtop upside down so it smokes the inside of the glass. Adds a little smokey flavor to the drink.