Cocktail heaven
The good mixer
Whether it’s a bourbon, Tennessee whiskey or a rye, American whiskey is the ultimate home bar staple. So we’ve picked three of the greatest cocktails out there: the Manhattan, the Old Fashioned and the Whiskey Sour, and partnered them with three famous expressions.
Make a Jack Daniel’s Manhattan
The Manhattan has its origins in the mid-19th century when vermouth became all the rage. It’s now commonly made with bourbon but originally it would have been made with rye whiskey. And we’ve got just the thing, a 50% rye from Jack Daniel’s.
To qualify as Bottled-in-Bond a whiskey must be from a single distillery and single distilling season, aged in a bonded warehouse for a minimum of four years, and bottled at at least 100 proof - 50% ABV. Bonded Rye is made with a mashbill of 70% rye, 18% corn and 12% malted barley. Like the classic No. 7, this is filtered through charcoal after distillation and aged in new American oak casks.
Tasting Notes
Nose:
An enticing mixture of sweet soft fruits mingling with cinnamon, ginger, clove and vanilla.
Palate:
Bold and spicy balanced with sweeter notes of toffee, dried fruit and chocolate.
Finish:
Lingering black pepper and chilli heat with caramel.
Jack Daniels Manhattan
This is a great cocktail for showing off the depth of flavour in Jack Daniel’s Bonded Rye.
Prep
2 mins
Serves
1 person
Ingredients
Cocktail Method
GARNISH
1 Cherry
Make an Old Fashioned with Woodford Reserve
The Old Fashioned is the original cocktail dating back to the late 18th century. A simple mixture of whiskey, sugar, and bitters, it’s a great way of showing off a high quality bourbon like Woodford Reserve Double Oaked.
Woodford Reserve Double Oaked Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey. This expression begins life being aged in the same way as the classic Woodford Reserve, but following this, it is further matured in barrels which have been heavily toasted and lightly charred. This imparts an added depth of sweet oaken character to the whiskey, as well as developing the fruit, vanilla and caramel notes.
Tasting Notes
Nose:
Black cherries, toffee, dark chocolate, honey and toasted almonds.
Palate:
Rich and full with notes of baked apples, cinnamon, cloves and caramel.
Finish:
Creamy and smooth with vanilla and baking spices.
Woodford Old Fashioned
There are dozens of Old Fashioned recipes out there, here’s a very simple one that works every time.
Prep
3 mins
Serves
1 person
Ingredients
Cocktail Method
4 dashes of Angostura bitters
GARNISH
Orange twist
Woodford Reserve Baccarat Edition
This is an extraordinarily snazzy expression from Woodford Reserve bourbon, which has been allowed a three-year-long finishing period in XO Cognac casks! This allows plenty of time for the Cognac casks to impart a wealth of rich fruit and mature oak notes to the top quality whiskey. Of course, a whisky as exciting as this needs an equally swanky bottle, and as such, this Woodford Reserve is presented in handsome bespoke Baccarat decanters.
Tasting Notes
Nose:
Rich toasted oak dusted with chocolate and cocoa notes, creamy vanilla bean, and hints of clove and cinnamon spice cover a deep layer of dried fruit and citrus peel.
Palate:
Elegant vanilla, dark chocolate, dried fruit and creamy caramel top layers of rich malt and oak.
Finish:
Velvety with a long delicately spiced caramel mocha note.
Make a Whisky Sour with Old Forester
With its sweet and spicy flavour profile, Old Forester 1870 makes a brilliant Whiskey Sour. Just add lemon juice, sugar, ice and give it a good long shake.
The 1870 Original Batch is the first release in the Old Forester Whisky Row series, paying tribute to the brand's origins. As a nod to the original batching process used by Old Forester's founder, George Garvin Brown, this Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey combines liquid from three different warehouses to create a harmonious, smooth bourbon.
Tasting Notes
Nose:
Spiced shortbread, with candied mixed peel, and drizzles of vanilla syrup.
Palate:
A medley of citrus and spice, with clove, nutmeg, and a twist of black pepper, joined by warm biscuits.
Finish:
Warm spices linger.
Old Forester Whisky Sour
Whisky Sours are quite personal things so once you’ve made this, have a play around with sugar and lemon levels to get it just how you like it.
Prep
3 mins
Serves
1 person
Ingredients
Cocktail Method
30ml Fresh lemon juice
GARNISH
Lemon disc
Old Forester Bourbon
70 cl / 43% ABV
Discover 10 American whiskeys to celebrate 4th July
It’s time to chuck some tea in the river, mutter darkly about ‘redcoats’ and buy an enormous pick-up truck because American independence day is on the horizon. Yea haw! Or you could just get one of our American whiskeys for 4 July. Much more fun.
