Old Fashioned

[Daytodaze]

I've always been a no-nonsense guy when it came to my whiskey, neat or on the rocks. I've become pretty fond of the old fashioned as of late, but it seems a bit blasphemous to use my good whiskey to mix cocktails. Can anyone recommend a good, reasonably priced option that I can keep on hand for mixing an old fashioned and other cocktails? I tried some Old Crow, with acceptable results, but I think I can step the quality up a bit.

 

[martym]

Old Granddad?

 

[Daytodaze]

Old granddad is pretty good, maybe a notch above old crow?

 

[JeremySeattle]

If you are anywhere close to Kentucky you can try to get Johnny Drum Black Label.

If not, how about an Ancient Ancient Age?

A Wild Turkey 90 might also be a good choice.


-Jeremy

 

[Nick Danger]

I mix with Rittenhouse 100 proof rye. It's not too expensive and it's really good:

http://sourmashmanifesto.com/2011/05/13/rittenhouse-rye-whiskey-review/

Nick

 

[Shantytownbrown]

I mix with Rittenhouse 100 proof rye. It's not too expensive and it's really good:

http://sourmashmanifesto.com/2011/05/13/rittenhouse-rye-whiskey-review/

Nick

second this, with a strong vote...
(too bad WT 101 rye is not still available otherwise that would be my choice, only 81 proof now)
if you want lower proof rye, Old Overholt is a nice rye...

if you want a Bourbon to use, Fighting **** and WT 101 bourbon....both less than $25/750

I find the higher proofs fair better in a cocktail, they retain their own character...

 

[OldAF]

Well, Old Crow is bottom shelf. It would help to know what price range you're thinking about. If you're looking to stay cheap Evan Williams black label ~$10 or white label (100 proof)~$13. I sometimes catch Four Roses yellow label on sale for ~$12-$14. Both are cheap but good. If you want to step it up a notch then the already recommended Grandad BIB (Bottled in Bond 100 proof) Wild Turkey 101 or Rittenhouse 100 BIB. All would be ~$18-$22 around here.

 

[Samurai-5]

I use Old Overholt Rye, Jim Beam Bourbon or Kirkland Brand Bourbon for my whiskey cocktails

 

[breadstick]

I like making mine with Honey Jack Daniels. If you do, don't add any sugar to it. Just fruit, whiskey, and a little bit of soda water.

 

[dsmdylan]

Bulleit Rye. Not the cheapest thing out there but an old fashioned isn't much more than rocks and bitters.

 

[Price]

Jim Beam Black is my "mixin' whiskey". Pretty good stuff actually.

 

[The Accountant]

Old GrandDad Bottled In Bond (101 Proof). A really nice bourbon at about $20 or so a bottle. Not bad by itself either, especially at this price point.

 

[jesseix]

Bulleit Rye. Not the cheapest thing out there but an old fashioned isn't much more than rocks and bitters.

This was going to be my suggestion, not bottom shelf but I can usually find it for around $20/750ml

 

[Slash McCoy]

Beam Black is great. Evan Williams mixes nicely with anything at all. Jack Daniels makes a nice Oldfashioned. Try different stuff and savor the flavors. Your sipping whiskey is just fine. There is nothing sacriligeious about "wasting" a good whiskey in a mixed drink unless it is rare and difficult to replace. Enjoy it. You own the bottle, the bottle doesn't own you.

 

[jazzguy]

Maker's. I do not care for rye in Old Fashioneds. In a Manhattan it's a different story.

 

[Daytodaze]

Lots of good suggestions! I've made plenty of old fashioneds with WT 101, and they always turn out good. But I usually just drink it on the rocks (makers too), or maybe with a couple drops of bitters. My only reserve with those two, is that it's nearly a shame to mix them.

beam black, and Kirkland have peaked my attention.

 

[jazzguy]

I haven't had it in a long time. The one that was available in the late 90s (I think it said 8 years old on the label) was quite good. Old Forester Bonded was another and it was even cheaper but I haven't seen it in years.

Jim Beam Black is my "mixin' whiskey". Pretty good stuff actually.

 

[blary54]

Evan Williams. Great mixer for the price.
George Dickel 12 year. Premium whiskey at a reasonable price (around $20 for 750)

This may sound sacrilege to some but maybe try something new and pick up a bottle of brandy. I'm from Wisconsin and its common for our Old Fashioneds to be Brandy Old Fashioneds. For some reason our state loves brandy and supposedly consumes over 75% of the US brandy consumption.

They are pretty good though!

 

[Pudu]

On Friday I made gomme syrup for the first time. Tonight's drink is the first try, a very simple Old Fashioned: bourbon, bitters, gomme syrup.

The only question I have is ... WHY DID THIS EVER FALL OUT OF FASHION?

And the only problem is the alcoholism looming in my immediate future .