Overview: Winter festivities call for an old fashioned cocktail, relying on sugar, bitters, and whiskey to create a balanced drink. Spirits experts recommend specific high-rye options to ensure the spirit stands up to dilution and sweetness. Total Wine & More and Heaven Hill Distillery mixologists have identified top choices that balance spice and texture.
The Full Story
For whiskey drinkers seeking to enhance winter festivities, the old fashioned cocktail remains a staple choice. With just sugar, bitters, and whiskey, the drink relies on the right spirit to bring everything together. Molly Horn, chief mixologist at Total Wine & More, suggests looking for high-rye bourbon when selecting a bottle. She notes that Bondstone High Rye Toasted Barrel Bourbon offers an extra layer of toasted oak that pulls out kitchen spice notes while maintaining a spicy backbone. For those seeking a crowd-pleaser with a batch-friendly price point, Four Roses is recommended for its weight and character.
Lynn House, portfolio mixologist at Heaven Hill Distillery, agrees that rye whiskeys are perfect for an old fashioned cocktail due to their fatty acids creating a rich texture. She identifies Elijah Craig Rye as her go-to option when making the drink. The spirit brings texture to the cocktail, and the spice paired with spice forward bitters makes for the perfect sip.
Production & Profile
High-rye whiskey is best for an old fashioned because it balances spice and sweetness. According to Molly Horn, high-rye bourbon typically contains 20% rye or more, although the term has no legal definition. This results in a bolder, more savory bourbon that is perfect for an old fashioned. The dry, spicy quality is tempered nicely by the sweetness of an old fashioned. Angostura bitters are noted as a favorite pairing to complement the warm spice notes.
Elijah Craig Rye brings texture to the cocktail, and the spice paired with spice forward bitters make for the perfect sip. Bondstone High Rye Toasted Barrel Bourbon offers an extra layer of toasted oak that pulls out kitchen spice notes while maintaining a spicy backbone.
What This Means
Choosing a whiskey with enough character allows it to shine through the sugar and bitters while letting those ingredients soften and complement its spice. Stirring the cocktail well with ice combines the ingredients, chills the drink, and gradually dilutes the whiskey. Starting with a familiar bottle allows the drinker to taste how sugar, bitters, and dilution change character before adjusting preferences for future glasses.
Consumer Takeaway
This selection offers a classic option for a holiday cocktail lineup that guests can savor. The bottles provide enough character to stand up to sweetness and proper dilution of a great cocktail. Bondstone High Rye Toasted Barrel Bourbon provides toasted oak layers, while Elijah Craig Rye offers rich texture.
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