The cocktail renaissance of the early aughts has brought many classic recipes back to the mainstream. And perhaps the most popular whiskey-based cocktail that returned to prominence in the years since is the iconic, timeless Old Fashioned.
Like many classic mixed drinks, the Old Fashioned has a bit of a murky history. While there are a handful of origin stories, the most widely accepted theory takes us back to 1889. This was when bartender, distiller, and whiskey pioneer James E. Pepper (who now has a whiskey line made in his honor) is believed to have created this mixed drink at the Pendennis Club in Louisville, Kentucky before bringing it to the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel Bar in New York City. This is where it became one of the most popular cocktails of the day before its resurgence in the last few decades.
The drink itself is as simple as it is elegant. It consists of muddled sugar, Angostura bitters, and water—then adding ice and whiskey. Some drinkers prefer the peppery spice of rye, while others prefer bourbon. Luckily for the latter crowd, there are many options available.
Below, you’ll find six of our favorite bourbons to mix into an Old Fashioned. These complex, nuanced, and versatile expressions are guaranteed to mix well with the other ingredients—without overpowering them or getting lost in the background.
Photo by Elijah Craig
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof
While bourbon’s origins are the subject of intense and longstanding debate, some believe it was invented by a former Baptist minister named Elijah Craig in 1789 when he decided to mature his corn whiskey in charred oak barrels. Whether or not this is true, there’s now a well-regarded whiskey brand produced in his honor. If you’re going to choose one for mixing into an Old Fashioned, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof is the best choice. Matured between 10-13 years (depending on the batch), this high-proof expression boasts a memorable flavor profile of chocolate fudge, toasted vanilla, oak, cracked black pepper, and wintry spices.
Photo by Campari Group
Wild Turkey 101
If you’re only going to purchase one bourbon whiskey to use as the base of your Old Fashioned, make it Wild Turkey 101. This everyday bottle is as versatile as it is affordable. While there’s no age statement, it’s believed to have matured in charred oak barrels between six and eight years. The result is a nuanced, sippable, mixable whiskey known for its bold flavor profile of cinnamon candy, toasted vanilla beans, charred oak, and cracked black pepper. This expression is so noteworthy, you’ll have no trouble sipping it neat when you aren’t mixing with it.
Photo by Widow Jane
Widow Jane 10
If you’re looking for a complex, memorable, and versatile bourbon to mix into an Old Fashioned, look no further than Widow Jane 10. This popular 91-proof whiskey blends several of Widow Jane’s rarest whiskeys. Made in five-barrel batches, every whiskey included was matured for at least ten years. The result is a non-chill filtered bourbon known for its palate of vanilla beans, maple candy, orange peels, candied almonds, toffee, and charred oak. The folks at Widow Jane take such care blending the various whiskeys together, you’ll sip it neat just as often as you mix it.
Photo by The Sazerac Company
Buffalo Trace
In the pantheon of price-to-value bottles, there are very few (if any) better than Buffalo Trace’s flagship expression. While it carries no age statement, it’s believed to be matured between 8-10 years. Featuring notes of toffee, vanilla beans, herbal mint, butterscotch, oak, and gentle winter spices, it’s a balanced, multi-layered expression. One sip and Buffalo Trace is guaranteed to find a permanent spot on your home bar cart for mixing and rainy day sipping.
Photo by Suntory Global Spirits
Jim Beam Double Oak
While you can’t go wrong by making an Old Fashioned with Jim Beam White Label, if you really want to get the most out of the drink, use Jim Beam Double Oak instead. This versatile bourbon was first matured for four years before being moved to second charred oak barrels for more maturation. This creates a balanced, mixable whiskey with notes of toasted vanilla beans, oak, sticky toffee pudding, dried fruits, caramelized sugar, and spices.
Photo by Heaven Hill Brands
Evan Williams Bottled-In-Bond
There aren’t many bourbon whiskey brands more underrated than Evan Williams. If you’re going to use one of its expressions to make an Old Fashioned, the Bottled-In-Bond is an outstanding choice. This 100-proof, award-winning whiskey was matured for at least four years. This yields a complex, highly mixable whiskey with notes of of charred oak, toasted vanilla beans, brown sugar, toffee, candied orange peels, cracked black pepper, and caramelized sugar. This is a bold, potent whiskey that deserves a spot on your home bar in perpetuity.
