What is the best whiskey for an Old Fashioned?

The classic whisky cocktail, there’s nothing quite like an Old Fashioned. 

Most recipes call for bourbon as the base ingredient. But how do you know what whiskey is the best for an Old Fashioned cocktail?

With Old Fashioned Week (November 5 – November 14, 2024) on the horizon, we figured now is as good a time as any to take a deeper dive into this thick, rich, sweet concoction to find out. 

What is an Old Fashioned cocktail?

The Old Fashioned is simple mix of spirit (almost always whiskey), sugar, bitters, and ice. But many bartenders have made the Old Fashioned Whiskey Cocktail, to give it its full title, their own. It’s usually served in a Rocks glass, often called an Old Fashioned glass, and garnished with a citrus peel, sometimes a cherry. There’s no rules or laws that distinguish the drink, as there rarely are in the world of cocktails, but you’ll know it when you see it. 

The history of the Old Fashioned cocktail

The Old Fashioned is often called the oldest cocktail. It came before the Martini and the Manhattan and some trace it back to the late 18th century. Certainly, it was a fixture in bars by the early 19th century.

The first published definition of a “cocktail” was in The Balance and Colombian Repository (1806), which called them “spirits of any kind, bitters, sugar and water”. The Old Fashioned is such a pioneer that it’s arguably the model for the original cocktail and then was simply called the “Whiskey Cocktail”. 

This was the first age of the cocktail, inspired by curiosity and creativity, but also often necessity. Back when standards of production weren’t regulated. Rough spirit was common and the addition of sugar, bitters, citrus – whatever bartenders could find to embellish and obscure – was part of the culture that birthed the first cocktails. 

Much like now, bartenders would have their own recipes but when ordering a “Whiskey Cocktail” you expected a mix of bitters, sugar, water, and whiskey (often rye) and it was typically served in a short-stem wine glass. There was often a DIY element to the drink, as bartenders would give you a spoon to make sure your sugar was stirred in and even the bottle to pour. How we long for such trusting days now…

Theodore Proulx’s Bartenders’ Manual (1888) is the first cocktail book to contain a recipe for an Old-Fashioned (Proulx is also tied with Harry Johnson for the first cocktail-book appearance of the Martini). Just five years later, in 1893, Chicago hosted the first meeting of the newly-formed International Association of Bartenders and one of the first items on the agenda was to discuss the proper way to build an Old-Fashioned cocktail. It’s amazing how old mixology really is, isn’t it?

Why’s it called an Old Fashioned?

The name Old Fashioned actually came as a result of the development of that mixology culture. As other liqueurs, ingredients, and fancies made their way into drinks, those who had more nostalgic tastes found themselves asking for an “old-fashioned” whiskey cocktail. 

That’s the story told in works regarded as authorities on the subject including Robert Simonson’s The Old-Fashioned: The Story of the World’s First Classic Cocktail (2014) and David Wondrich’s book Imbibe (2007), both of which provided a tremendous amount of background for this article. I salute them both and recommend you buy them.

How did the Old Fashioned make its comeback?

When you think of an Old Fashioned, you probably think of Don Draper in Mad Men, of the hard-drinking, three-Martinis-before-breakfast-and-a-pack-of-Camels 1950s. In the post-Prohibition era, fruit was elevated from a garnish in an Old Fashioned to part of the drink’s makeup, with orange slices and cherries muddled into the glass or placed in whole. Soda water was also common. This was quite a classic Prohibition tactic of masking the poor quality of bootleg booze with other ingredients and the practice stuck for a while.

The drink then declined in popularity. The vodka boom of the 70s and the 80s and the movement towards cocktails as bright, light, sweet, and easy drinks saw many of the classics take a backseat. For a long time, the Old Fashioned was exactly that: old-fashioned. But it made quite a comeback in the modern cocktail renaissance, as the staples of yesteryear became cool again. 

By the late noughties, bartenders prided themselves on their Old Fashioned recipes. Gone was the cheap neon fruit and cloudy small cubes of ice. Whiskey was showcased, not masked as it became the star again. Bitters, quality sugar, and large chunks of ice became the defining features, while the Old Fashioned drinker didn’t look solely like Don Draper anymore. The poster child of the modern cocktail revival was whiskey-based, and it was delicious. 

How to make an Old Fashioned

The best thing about the Old Fashioned might just be how democratic it is. You can pretty much find a bar in any town that will make one but also the ingredients aren’t difficult to get hold of if you want to make it at home. The process of making it is also simple (although perfecting anything comes with practice and discipline, of course), and it isn’t time-consuming or expensive to assemble.

I build my Old Fashioned’s in a mixing glass. I cut a small piece of orange peel but I won’t muddle it, rather gently stir into the cocktail. Then I’ll add my sugar, Demerara/maple syrup and four dashes of Angostura Bitters. Then, 50ml bourbon. I like a high-rye content and a strong proof, but we’ll get to that. I give that an initial stir then add ice and stir it all together again. Then I strain it into my serving glass, I like a proper Rocks/Old Fashioned glass because, why mess with perfection? I add a clear, large, uniform piece of ice. An Old Fashioned is meant to be sipped and savoured and small ice cubes will melt quicker and dilute your drink so be mindful of that. To garnish, a zest of orange and perhaps a Maraschino Cherry.

That’s just how I do it. Here’s a classic Old Fashioned recipe to follow:

Classic Old Fashioned recipe 

Ingredients:

50ml (2 oz) bourbon or rye whisky

1 sugar cube (or 1/2 tsp sugar)

2-3 dashes Angostura Bitters

Garnish: orange peel

Ice cubes (large ice cube preferred)

Serves: 1

Method:

Place the sugar cube in an Old Fashioned glass. Add the bitters and a small splash of water to help dissolve the sugar. Use a muddler or the back of a spoon to crush the sugar cube and mix it with the bitters until it’s mostly dissolved.

Pour in the whisky and stir to combine. Add a large ice cube or a few smaller cubes to the glass. Stir for about 20-30 seconds to chill and dilute slightly. 

To garnish, express the oils from an orange peel over the drink by holding it above the glass and giving it a twist. Drop the peel into the drink as garnish. You can also add a cherry as a garnish if desired.

Tom Macy’s Old Fashioned

Tom Macy has twice come out on top when 10 of America’s best bartenders were asked to submit their recipes for the Old Fashioned, in 2018 and 2024, which is very much an elevated serve. But it’s also a great example of how you don’t need to do a lot to make an incredible drink. A few choice adjustments, from rye whiskey to Demerara syrup and a blend of bitters and garnishes make this baby sing.    

Ingredients:

50ml (2 oz) Wild Turkey 101 (technically he used the rye but we don’t have that and the bourbon has a good rye content anyway). 

1 teaspoon rich Demerara syrup (made from a 2:1 recipe of demerara sugar to water)

3 dashes Dad’s Bitters (see below)

Garnish: orange and lemon peels

Serves: 1

Method:

Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass over ice and stir until chilled. Strain into a rocks glass over a large ice cube. Garnish with orange and lemon peels.

How to make Dad’s Bitters Blend:

1 1/2 ounces Angostura Bitters

1 ounce Bitter Truth Orange Bitters

1 teaspoon Bitter Truth Jerry Thomas Decanter Bitters

Combine all ingredients in a dasher bottle before use.

What is the best whiskey for an Old Fashioned?

So, now to the big question: which whiskey is best for an Old Fashioned? 

The answer is… rum. 

Ok, just kidding. A good Rum Old Fashioned shouldn’t be sniffed at, however. 

But whiskey is the true base of the drink and what you choose will dictate the character of your cocktail more than any other ingredient. Bourbon is the usual favourite, but rye whiskey was also very common in the good old days and is preferred by some today. 

The honest answer to “What is the best whiskey for an Old Fashioned?” is essentially: the one you enjoy. It doesn’t need to be more complicated than that. If there’s a brand of bourbon or rye or whatever whiskey you like, you’ll probably enjoy it in an Old Fashioned too. A good rule of thumb is, if you wouldn’t sip it neat, you probably won’t like it an Old Fashioned. Remember, we’re showcasing the whiskey here, not hiding it. 

If you don’t have a standard whiskey choice, then a good place to start is to think about the drink’s profile. If the toasty, bold, vanilla/corn-led sweetness of bourbon is what you want in an Old Fashioned, then you have your answer. Or if the richer, spicier qualities of rye are your bag, then you’ll probably prefer that. You can then tailor your ingredients to your whiskey. A sweeter whiskey might mean you tone down the sugar element or experiment with the bitters, for example. Personally, I like a bourbon with a good corn content for that natural sweetness, but with a fair amount of rye in the mashbill for a more robust, spicy edge. 

I would always recommend a whiskey between 45% to 50% ABV. You need enough strength to stand up to the dilution without making the drink too hot. I would also say that it’s not necessary to break the bank. If you can afford to go all out, then by all means, but ultimately this is a mixed drink and there’s plenty of budget-friendly whiskeys that tick the required boxes. 

Here’s some top picks for Bourbon Old Fashioneds and Rye Old Fashioneds:

Bourbon Old Fashioned

Evan Williams White Label Whiskey 70cl: Affordable, great strength, full of personality, this is an absolute winner of a pick. 

Wild Turkey 101 Whiskey: Known for its balanced flavours of vanilla, caramel, and rye spice, you never go wrong with Wild Turkey.

Maker’s Mark: A wheated bourbon with a softer, sweeter profile, ideal if you prefer a less spicy finish.

My pick: Four Roses Small Batch Bourbon. I truly love this whiskey, it ticks every box and is terrific value for money. 

Honourable mentions: Black & Gold 11 Year Old Bourbon Whiskey; Michter’s US*1 Bourbon Whiskey; Elijah Craig Small Batch; Ezra Brooks 99 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. 

Premium picks: Wild Turkey 12 Year Old Distiller’s Reserve Whiskey, Colonel EH Taylor Small Batch Whiskey, Blanton’s Gold Edition.

Rye Old Fashioned

Michter’s US*1 Straight Rye Whiskey: Gives a superb bold, spicy bite. The character is so strong it can afford to have a little less alcohol strength. 

WhistlePig PiggyBack 6 Year Old Whiskey: Made to mix and it does the trick. Its blend of rich spice and oak creates a more complex cocktail.

Rittenhouse Straight Rye 100 Proof Whiskey: Simply never lets you down.  

My pick: Mashbill Rye Whiskey. The touch of sherry cask adds something delectable to the Old Fashioned. A really cool whiskey with a lot to offer. 

Honourable mentions: Jack Daniel’s Bonded Rye; 1776 Straight Rye Whiskey; FEW Rye Whiskey; Wilderness Trail Small Batch Rye.

Premium picks: Peerless Small Batch Rye; SirDavis Whiskey; Sagamore Spirit Double Oak Rye.

Scotch Old Fashioned

Can you make an Old Fashioned with Scotch? Yes, you can make an Old Fashioned with any type of whisky. It’s up to you. There’s a number of different ways you can go here, from picking a Scotch that mirrors the profile of a bourbon, to adding smoke or sherry for a different dimension. You can do the same approach for Irish whiskey, or indeed any world whisky. 

I think the best Old Fashioned I ever had might just be one I had at the Beaufort Bar in The Savoy that used Highland Park 40 Year Old. I know it sounds like sacrilege. But don’t judge me unless you tried that sweet, sweet, sacrilege… 

The best Scotch whisky for an Old Fashioned

Monkey Shoulder: Let’s start somewhere simple, with a versatile, approachable blended malt that will offer familiar notes of vanilla, honey, and spices.

Aberlour 12 Year Old: Sherried and fruity, this brings a different, Scotchy dimension to the Old Fashioned, with more richness. If you want an Irish alternative to this, then go for Redbreast 12 Year Old.

Highland Park 12 Year Old: Adds a hint of smoke and heather honey, for a twist on the traditional.

Alternative whiskey for an Old Fashioned

Jameson Black Barrel: A blend of pot still and grain Irish whiskeys, aged in double-charred barrels for an extra depth of flavour, this makes a cracking Old Fashioned. 

Nikka Whisky From The Barrel: This bold, high-proof Japanese whisky has rich layers of spice, oak, and dried fruit, making it a compelling base for an Old Fashioned.

Fielden Rye Whisky: An English whisky Old Fashioned? Hell yeah. Its earthy, dry profile with hints of caramel and toasted wood adds a warming spice and complexity for a classic Old Fashioned with a hint of bite. Shoutout to Wire Works Caduro too, which also makes a great Old Fashioned. 

Starward Nova Whisky: This Australian single malt, aged in red wine barrels, has fruity and lightly tannic characteristics, adding a unique layer to the cocktail.

You can even buy pre-bottled Old Fashioned cocktails these days.

Do I use a sugar cube or simple syrup for an Old Fashioned?

Typically a sugar cube is placed in the glass and then saturated with bitters to muddle into a paste. This can leave sugar crystals at the bottom of the glass, however, which can have the effect of making the cocktail sweeter as you drink it. You can also spot the loose sugar grains and it does undermine the presentation somewhat. The practice of using soda water in an Old Fashioned actually came about because it makes the sugar cube dissolve faster.  

Sugar syrup is the common alternative these days. Some bartenders will make theirs from unprocessed brown sugar and regular sugar to add more depth, while maple syrup or Demerara are popular and a neat way to add something different. Sugar syrups are really easy to make, simply heat sugar with water and let it cool. People often use a 1:1 recipe – the same amount of sugar as water – but you can adjust to taste. 

What’s the best bitters for an Old Fashioned?

Angostura Bitters remains the gold standard. It’s been around longer than the Old Fashioned itself and I always have a bottle on hand. Orange bitters are also very common and elevate the citrus elements of the drink, which works for the same reason the classic orange peel garnish does. You can even get dedicated Old Fashioned Bitters.

But there’s a whole world of bitters out there to experiment with. From Cocoa to Vanilla, Black Walnut and even Whiskey Barrel-Aged Bitters, your favourite might be something you’ve yet to discover.

How to peel orange for your Old Fashioned

To garnish an Old Fashioned, carefully use a knife or Y-shaped peeler to shave the orange peel from the fruit. Try to keep the peel to a consistent width with nice straight lines and avoid pushing too hard or you might pull off too much pith.

You can also use lemon peel, or both, or Maraschino cherry to garnish your Old Fashioned if you prefer a sweeter serve. You can flame the orange peel too to maximise the impact of the citrus oils. 

What glass does an Old Fashioned cocktail go in?

The Old Fashioned Glass will never let you down. It’s your drink, so you can serve it how you like, but a Rocks glass is what you’ll typically receive in a bar. The key to this glass’ success is its heavy bottom, which aids the muddling of the sugar cube and bitters, but even if you’re using sugar syrup or building the cocktail in a mixing glass first, the Rocks glass has become so synonymous with the drink that you know an Old Fashioned glass when you see one.

What’s the secret to a good Old Fashioned cocktail?

First, make it your own. Experiment, practice, and find what works for you.

But remember, precision is everything. Cocktail creation is like baking. If one element is off, the whole cake falls down. If you get the balance of sugar, booze, bitters, and dilution wrong, then your Old Fashioned could become too weak, dry, sweet, strong… An unbalanced drink is the worst cocktail crime. Careful control of your elements is key.