The Old Fashioned is the only thing that never became old fashioned. It’s the one drink that everyone waits to try on every gathering and function. The only thing that have different opinions are the best bourbon for old fashioned. The day before, we just had a get together with my classmates. Actually the day was really fun. We all together did some trekking, cooking and some resort time. In school, there were 30 students and only 24 managed to participate on this day.
Besides all such bored truth or dare games and board games, Lily finds a game something new. The game is about making an Old fashioned cocktail with different types of bourbon. 20 members can participate and the rest four can judge.
Then it became a hurry to choose each one’s favorite bourbon and some have similar likes. All of us became very choosy to try the best and popular bourbon for it. At last, everyone managed to choose the best bourbon type. I also chose one and guess what, got the third position. As per the result and my favorite, arranged all bourbon from least scored to top. Now I know which bourbon I can choose for the victory.
How to Make an Old Fashioned: Step-by-Step Guide
There is no debate regarding the best whiskey for old fashioned, it is always bourbon. Just before you are finding the bourbons for old fashioned, you should know the recipe in detail. This can make your old fashioned superb. It is a classic cocktail that is known for its simplicity and bold flavors. Here’s how you can make the perfect Old Fashioned at home, step by step.
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- 2 oz (60 ml) of best bourbon
- 1 sugar cube (or 1 tsp of simple syrup)
- 2-3 dashes of the Angostura bitters
- Orange peel (for garnishing it)
- Ice (preferably large cubes or a single large block)
- Optional: A cherry (for garnish)
Step 1: Choose Your Glass First and Then Gather The Tools
Here comes my favorite step, I like to choose a glass that is heavy bottomed and short. You can actually see a collection of glasses in my home bar. Yeah such glasses have names- rocks or old fashioned glass. For other processes choose the best muddler, stirring spoon and the ingredients that listed above.
Step 2: Add the Sugar and Bitters
If you are the one who does something just for getting satisfaction like watching ASMR videos, just put the sugar cubes in the glass, that ting! ting! The sound will give you a good feel. Place one sugar cube and add two or three dashes of Angostura bitter in it. Now add a little amount of water like one teaspoon, just to dissolve the sugar.
Step 3: Muddle the Sugar and Bitters
Muddler will be the perfect tool to crush the sugar cube and mix it with both bitters and water added. After that, you should get a smooth paste at the bottom of the glass. Avoid leaving large granules in glass. While we started the game of making cocktails together, one of my friends forgot to dissolve the sugar completely and it became irritating while drinking it.
Step 4: Add Whiskey
Here comes the most critical part, yeah adding the best bourbon for old fashioned. Here you can choose the best from the list I am gonna share below. One thing is sure that you will get the best list for the best old fashioned. Pour 2 oz (60 ml) of your preferred whiskey over the sugar mixture and stir gently.
Step 5: Adding Ice
Yeh, the coolest part. Add large cubes or small ice cubes to the glass and stir again for 20 to 30 seconds. It will help to chill the drink and get the right dilution. For making it more hard, you can also try whiskey stones for it.
Step 6: Garnish
Actually this is Lily’s favorite part. She likes to peel and cut the orange peel to avoid too much of white pith. We were in competition to peel orange skin in the most artistic way at the time. Then express the oils from the peel by holding it over the glass and gently squeezing or twisting it. You can rub the peel around the rim of the glass and then place it inside or on the edge as a cute décor to it.
Step 7: Optional Cherry
This is completely optional and I am a deadly lover of cherry. Even in spicy foods, I can side with sweet cherries. When it comes to cocktails, cherries can give you special flavor and also extra touch of sweetness and presentation.
Considerations for Selecting the Best Bourbon for an Old Fashioned
I know there are so many cocktails and Lily loves Champagne, even she confused about how many calories in a champagne bottle have. But, in my case, I prefer old fashioned over all others. As a man who loves different varieties of old fashioned, I can say that most bourbons are good whiskey for old fashioned. But there are certain things that we consider before trying it.
Key factors to consider:
High Proof:
We really need to opt the bourbon that has a higher proof, that means around 90-100 proof, to make sure its flavor remains very much prominent after being mixed with ice and all other ingredients.
Balanced Sweetness:
This suggestion comes from the cherry lover inside me, but trust me guys this is the best one! Look for a bourbon that with a good noticeable sweetness from the caramel and vanilla notes providing smooth and a very well rounded taste.
Complexity and Finish
From all kinds of bourbon, choose the one with the best flavor that has a small taste of spice, wood and fruit. It will give you a ver very nice and interesting experience. Even small flavors and tastes have a very good drinking experience and taste.
Mash Bill Consideration:
You should be very responsible while grain mix in the bourbon. The higher bourbon content can add unwanted spiciness to it. Also higher corn content can give you extra sweetness than you wanted.
Best Bourbon For Old Fashioned – My Top 20s
Even though getting together and making old fashioned was fun, I was a little lazy to write this for you. At that time, my friend Matrix tried the top five from the list below and said “Dude, just write this secret and reveal it to everyone”. He is always crazy about such experiments and taste. So let us start from the least favorite to the top one.
20. Eagle Rare
It has a very good oaky finish and is quite familiar in this old fashioned making method. When we tried it, more fizzled and barrel funky did not feel okay for us. Even the sweetness is not giving a pleasant feel to the drink.
19. Old Forester 100
This one also has that nice and dry oaky taste. We actually did not feel any issues with this, but the above 18 are just better than this. So you can give it a try to old for 100. Maybe this will be your go to for the old fashioned
18. Maker’s Mark
We mostly love the wheat bourbon like Marker’s mark, it is one of the best bourbon for old fashioned. It also has a very nice pleasant taste of sweet and softer flavor. We just felt that it is really good to take it sip by sip and not feel so hard or difficult to enjoy it.
17. Bulleit
While drinking this, John said, “there is nothing wrong with this drink and it’s perfect”. Just like he said, yeah it is good to go and nothing there to complain or nothing extra to say good. It is an okay okay one. Save it for your most complaining friend, hahaha!
16. Widow Jane
The well aged and perfectly suited spirit, maybe many people will think about window jane when they hear bourbon. At the time we had this, most people liked it and Trisa was more excited about it. She is the one who prefers dry fruits in all of her smoothies. The notes of dry fruits make it more flavorful and good.
15. Angel’s Envy
The first one comes in spicy dry taste for a typical old fashioned. It will be one of the noce choices to have a drink. But the bitterness may come to mind and some of us don’t like it that much.
14. Knob Creek
This is one of my personal favorite bourbons. It has a very nice peanut and caramel flavor while drinking it. I was waiting to taste this specifically and when it came as old fashioned, it had some weird taste. I am still suspecting the chef behind this making and can’t complain about my favorite for this.
13. Woodford Reserve
Compared to the Angel’s envy, it does not have that much spicy flavor. But it is enough to kick you off in the very first try. Actually, it gives a very pleasant taste and is even good for the parties. This was not in my mind until I tasted it. So, you can also try this and I am sure it will be good.
12. Jim Beam White Label
We just had a very good experience while trying it. When we started trying each one, we became tired of getting a sweet one or a spicy one. But when I first tasted it, I truly got some happy vibes. It has a balanced mix of sweet and spicy that make it the number one bourbon in the world. But when it comes to old fashioned, there are few better than this.
11. Russell’s Reserve 10
The perfect fit for a cocktail, the spicy taste of it can make you one of the best old fashioned. It has a spice forward profile and you can also get some juicy apricot flavor with it. This taste makes it more special than the best bourbon for old fashioned that shared above.
10. Basil Hayden’s
It is one of the best beginner friendly bourbons. Sara, this is her first time trying the old fashioned. She always drink non alcoholic wines. Choosing this was her choice and by watching some YouTube tutorials to make it old fashioned, she managed to make it. This became her favorite after that. The light sweet taste makes it more perfect for the person who is trying it first.
9. Few Straight Bourbon
This can be called as the newcomer in the whole list. It has a very nice spice flavor that can give you mouth water and crave to drink more. We can say that this will be the perfect way to go for old fashioned making. Just try and have your drink.
8. Blanton’s
You know that getting 8th position is not that easy in this whole best bourbon list. Just like we said about the mix of spice and sweet, it gives the perfect balance of orangy, nutty and spicy flavor. This will force you to try more and more to not leave the flavor from your tongue.
7. Four Roses Yellow Label
The top 7th position goes to one of the best bourbons with a lovely name. It has a very nice pleasant taste and some citrus flavor. The citrus flavor is given by a slight orange and lemon taste on it. Sometimes, the citrus taste may be overwhelming and if you tried a cocktail out of it, it feels nicer and better.
6. Wild Turkey 101
None of us had a plan to try this. After so many arguments and clash, the last one got this type bourbon for try old fashioned. But, guess what! This totally surprised all of us. The oaky feel and nutty flavor made it perfect for the drink.
5. Buffalo Trace
It entered in the top 5, yes the one with a balanced sweet and sour taste. It has a very good flavor and feels like a luxury taste. This will be perfect for most people who love old fashioned. The perfect go to bourbon for cocktails.
4. Evan Williams Black Label
The one bourbon that again surprised me, it has a very good balance of all drinks and pleasant to take every sip of it. It also has the perfect balance of sweet and spice that we never gonna imagine. It is the perfect one for your old fashioned.
3. Old Grand Dad Bottled In Bond
Here comes the man of the match. This is the one I always choose over all other bourbon. Old Grand Dad Bottle in Bond was my all time favorite and pretty much confident about it. Its flavor is well crafted with caramel, butterscotch and baking spice. It also has a very good aroma of hazelnut. So you can blindly choose this one for your old fashioned.
2. Larceny
I usually don’t like to have this as bourbon and my least favorite. Not only me, most of the friends there did not love it and it felt a big surprise overall. You should try the old fashioned ingredients, which will shock you. The perfect taste and blend of cocktails that you may taste in heaven only. So don’t miss this try for sure.
1. Elijah Craig Small Batch
Quite expected and the perfect bold go to go for life. It has a perfect blend of strong citrus taste and acts as a powerhouse bottle. For beginners, it can’t be a good option. If you are capable of strength, give this a try and blow out your day!
FAQs on What’s the Best Bourbon for an Old Fashioned
Is it possible to make an old fashioned with whiskey other than bourbon?
Yes, the old fashioned is made with three ingredients and bourbon is the traditional one. So don’t need to be too afraid of this and try other whiskeys like rye whiskey.
What distinguishes granulated sugar for an old-fashioned from a sugar cube?
Both can be used in your old fashioned way. But the cube needs more time to dilute than the sugar cube.
Can I make an old-fashioned with flavored bitters?
Yes, you can make a old fashioned by using flavored bitters. The bitters like orange bitter or aromatic bitters can be used as singles or combined together.
Should I make an old-fashioned with crushed ice or big ice cubes?
It is always good to use large ice cubes that are crushed. So it doesn’t melt fast. Otherwise it will melt and your drink will dilute with more water.
Can I prepare an old-fashioned ahead of time for a gathering or party?
Yes, old fashioned can be the best option for a party, especially if the season is winter or fall. It gives a more pleasant feel and refreshment. You only need a short time and less ingredients to make it.
