Best Bourbon for Old Fashioned! One of the most famous classic cocktails is the Old Fashioned, and consists of whiskey, sugar, bitters, and citrus, and displays a strong appreciation for simplicity. Great whiskey makes all the difference in the taste and balance and, consequently, why choosing a good bourbon for an Old Fashioned really makes a difference.
For their Old Fashioneds, many enthusiasts reach for some of the bolder higher proof bourbons. Why? Because of the sugar and the bitters, higher proof bourbons need to really have a strong flavor profile, and bourbons in the 90 to 100+ proof range are great for cocktails, because as the drink is diluted and chilled, the caramel, oak, and vanilla, are really the notes that stick.
What Makes the Best Bourbon for Old Fashioned?
Not every bourbon is the same when making an Old Fashioned. Some have a light and delicate nature, and some more pronounced notes of oak, baking spice, caramel, and almost fruity notes. Knowing what you prefer will help direct you to the best choice, and the following are good notes to consider as well.
1. Higher Proof
For an Old Fashioned, bourbons between 90 and 100+ proof can really make a great choice. With the ice and s Users of the idiot usually means that the whiskey is not as strong as the other flavors in the cocktail, but that doesn’t make the cocktail better. It just means that it is highly flavorful.
2. Rich Caramel and Vanilla
Vanilla and caramel show off the sweet side of bourbon. They balance the cocktail without the need for added sugar, which can result in an overly dessert-like cocktail.
3. Oak and Spice
Oak contains tannins that complement the sweetness of the cocktail and holds spice notes like cumin, cardamom and pepper. These notes are especially useful when you prefer a complex and deep finish.
4. A Balanced Flavor Profile
Even spice notes, while not boring, can overpower the remainder of the cocktail. The threat of over-oaking and over-sweetening should not be taken lightly.
Top Bourbon Styles for an Old Fashioned
It isn’t necessary to memorize one bourbon, but understanding the different styles is useful.
High-Rye Bourbon
The high-rye bourbons are the spicier options of the group. Old Fashioned’s are the place to show off some of those baking spices like cinnamon and pepper.
These are the styles to pick if you want your cocktails a little less sweet and a little more dry.
Wheated Bourbon
Wheated bourbons use wheat instead of rye and bring a softer, smoother style of bourbon. Rounder and less spice means less of a kick.
Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon
For an Old Fashioned, Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon stands out because it has to be bottled at 100 proof and has to abide by strict production and aging requirements. For strength in an Old Fashioned, this helps.
Barrel-Proof Bourbon
Barrel-Proof Bourbon is bold and flavorful. The notes can come through of caramel, oak, vanilla, and spice.
Because Barrel-Proof Bourbon is strong, you can easily adjust the dilution level and sugar to your liking.
How to Choose the Right Bourbon
When you are considering the best bourbon for an Old Fashioned, consider the flavor profile.
If you want a more spicy cocktail, you want bourbon that has more rye and baking spices. More of a smooth cocktail? Maybe wheated bourbon. For more strength in your cocktail, think about 100 proof or barrel proof bourbon.
The price still matters, even though it does not need to be a high end bourbon. A more working class bourbon with flavor can actually be better to your cocktail than a high end bourbon whose flavors can get lost.
Why Proof Matters in an Old Fashioned
In case you haven’t realized by know, proof is important in an Old Fashioned. As ice slowly melts and dilutes the drink, sugar and bitters change the way the whiskey is tasting.
Higher proof bourbon that is at least 100 proof tends to maintain its character when aged. Its flavors of caramel, vanilla, and spice notes still come out after the dilution process.
It must be noted that high proof isn’t the only indicator of good quality bourbon. Even a well-balanced 90 proof bourbon has the ability to complement an Old Fashioned better than some high proof whiskeys that may lack balance.
Classic Old Fashioned Recipe
Old Fashioned recipe! Selecting a quality bourbon is the only real challenge in preparing this timeless cocktail.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces bourbon
- 1 teaspoon sugar or simple syrup
- 2–3 dashes aromatic bitters
- Ice
- Orange peel for garnish
Instructions
- Add the sugar and bitters to a mixing glass or Old Fashioned glass.
- Add the bourbon and stir until the ingredients are well combined.
- Add a large ice cube or several smaller cubes.
- Stir gently to chill and slightly dilute the drink.
- Express an orange peel over the surface and use it as the garnish.
The amount of sugar can be adjusted depending on the bourbon. A naturally sweet bourbon may require less sugar, while a spicier or drier bourbon can benefit from slightly more sweetness.
Tips for Making a Better Old Fashioned
Quality Ice
Once again, larger cubes of ice melt more slowly than small pieces of ice. To help you control dilution and keep the cocktail drinkable, opt for large, dense ice cubes.
Sugar is your Friend, in Limit
The Old Fashioned cocktail should compliment the bourbon or whiskey rather than overpower the drink with unnecessary sugary sweetness. Start with a modest amount of sugar and feel free to adjust to your preference.
Experiment With Bitters
Aromatic bitters are a given. But using varied bitters can give a drink individuality. Subtle additions of orange or chocolate bitters, for example, can enhance a cocktail.
Fresh Orange Peel
The citrus oils released from an orange peel become part of the aroma of the drink. Express the peel directly into the drink.
Is Expensive Bourbon Really Better for an Old Fashioned?
It all depends on what you’re looking for. Bourbon does need to be of decent quality as it’s the most important part of the cocktail, but that doesn’t mean that you need to splurge.
Some of the pricier bourbons have really delicate flavors that should really stand out on their own and be appreciated neat. For an Old Fashioned, you might want a bourbon with some more bold flavors.
A good rule of thumb is to choose whiskey that you think is tasty on its own, but has some body to stand out once it’s been mixed in a drink.
Can You Use 80-Proof Bourbon?
Of course! An 80-proof bourbon definitely can be used in an Old Fashioned. You’ll get a softer cocktail using 80 proof bourbon, as opposed to 90- or 100-proof, but you can still get a really nice cocktail using 80 proof.
If you want the cocktail to have a bit more structure, then 90 proof bourbon is definitely the way to go.
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Last Thoughts
Depending on what you’re looking for, a really bold bourbon with a proof in the range of 90-100 can be a great choice. The richer flavors of caramel, oak, and vanilla really come out in the sample with the sugar and bitters.
Higher rye bourbons will have more of a spice to them, wheated will provide a smoother drink, and barrel-aged bourbon can add a lot of strength and complexity. The main thing is to choose a bourbon you think will be strong enough to stand up, but not too strong.
Use quality bourbon; your choice of good ice and fresh, quality ingredients; and a little sweetness to balance it all off for a simple, yet character-filled, Old Fashioned.
For the Old Fashioned, you start with high-quality bourbon and a little sweetness to balance it off. Choose fresh, quality ingredients and some good ice and you’re set for this cocktail.
