Best bourbon to make an old fashioned

When it comes to classic cocktails, not many are more recognized than the Old Fashioned. At its core it is a relatively easy cocktail to make — just a few simple ingredients of whiskey, bitters and sugar. From there, you can make it your own. You might add a garnish of orange or cherries, but changing any of the standard ingredients will change the drink.

A Brief Guide to Everything Whisk(e)y

The great debate is usually about what kind of whiskey to use. There is no wrong answer for this. If you like your drink on the sweeter side, you will use bourbon. If you like a spicier bite, you should go with rye. Both are widely available at bars and your local liquor store. But for something different, swap the bitters for an amaro. The options are endless. Happy mixing!!

Here are some whiskeys highly rated by our spirits reviewer, Kara Newman, that we recommend to switch up your Old Fashioned.

Old Hamer Straight Rye

Wine Enthusiast Rating: 93 Points

Vanilla and maple aromas mingle with an herbaceous, amarolike hint. The brisk palate balances vanilla and Christmas spices, drying to a pleasingly bitter bite. The clove-allspice notes are similar to Angostura bitters, making this a natural to mix into Old Fashioneds. Best Buy. —Kara Newman

Kuiper Belt Aged 8 Years Straight Kentucky Bourbon

Wine Enthusiast Rating: 94 Points

Named for a ring of icy bodies that orbit the sun, this small-batch whiskey is aged, as the producer says, “eight earth orbits around the sun.” Look for a gentle cinnamon scent and a spicy-sweet palate. Adding water plays up the caramel note and layers on succulent toffee richness. It’s robust enough to enjoy with a big cube of ice or mixed into an Old Fashioned. 100 Best Spirits of 2021 —K.N.

Sipes’ Double Oaked Smoked Barrel Bourbon

Wine Enthusiast Rating: 87 Points

This Bourbon is for fans of the smoked Old Fashioned trend. It features savory, smoky mesquite notes on nose and palate. Liquid smoke and bacon overshadow a core of vanilla and maple, finishing with plenty of black pepper. Overall, this reads like peppered maple bacon. This is a four-year-old Bourbon finished in a smoked barrel. —K.N.

Bare Knuckle Straight Wheat Whiskey

Wine Enthusiast Rating: 90 Points

This single barrel Virginia local hero starts with wheat, rye and barley sourced from local Virginia farms; the barley is then malted by Copper Fox, another Virginia distillery. It’s aged at least two years and bottled at cask strength. Add all the water, which focuses the spicy core, and lets mocha, oak and vanilla shine through. A hint of cherry in the aroma suggests Manhattans and Old Fashioneds to come. —K.N.

Border Bourbon

Wine Enthusiast Rating: 93 Points

Enticing oak and vanilla aromas are joined by a hint of black cherry. The palate is deep and complex, opening with plenty of oak integrated with vanilla, drying espresso and cayenne heat. Adding water tames the fire, bringing out more vanilla and black cherry. Sip or mix. This should make for a fierce Old Fashioned. Top 100 Spirits 2018 —K.N.

Trail’s End Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Wine Enthusiast Rating: 89 Points

His Kentucky Bourbon “finished with Oregon oak staves” offers a caramel and coconut scent that is echoed on the silky, lightly sweet palate, finishing with nutmeg, clove and a wallop of alcohol heat. It’s recommended for mixing into old fashioneds and other cocktails. —K.N.

Four Roses Yellow Label

Wine Enthusiast Rating: 94 Points

Consider this blended Bourbon for dessert pairings or a fruit-spiked Old Fashioned. Look for caramel and dried-cherry aromas and a flavor akin to dark chocolate-covered cherries. The long, mouthwatering finish is dark and decadent, evoking chocolate, espresso, Port, leather, nutmeg and clove. Best Buy. —K.N.

Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Wine Enthusiast Rating: 94 Points

Pleasantly sweet nose. Medium body and sticky-toffee flavor. This would be great mixed into cocktails, because the flavor is smooth but bold at the same time; it would blend without being completely lost. Finishes mellow, smooth, with just enough alcohol bite. Easy to like. Think Manhattans and Old-Fashioneds. —K.N.

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