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The Best Whisky for an Old Fashioned

Arguably one of the most classic whisky cocktails – and one of the easiest to make – there’s nothing quite like an Old Fashioned. It’s elegant. It’s refined. And it emphasises the subtle flavours and tasting notes of a favourite whisky. Traditionally, most recipes will advise you to stick with a bourbon for an Old Fashioned. Why is that, and can you use other whiskies?

The Malts Team

4 min read

•

August 6, 2024

An Old Fashioned cocktail sits on a wooden table surrounded by a bowl of peaches, a plant and a highball cocktail

Why is bourbon the classic choice for an Old Fashioned?

A solid bourbon – like Bulleit - is a traditional choice when crafting an Old Fashioned. This is because bourbon offers a balanced, smooth and sweet profile when mixed into the drink, which creates a final sip that is mellow and accessible.

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Can you make an Old Fashioned with rye whiskey?

If you prefer a bit more spice in your Old Fashioned, rye whiskey is a great choice and Bulleit also offers a formidable rye for a fiery twist. Bulleit's Rye Whiskey offers rich oaky aromas, while the taste brings hints of vanilla, honey and spice.

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What about a Scotch Old Fashioned?

If we’re going to be pedantic about it, when you make an Old Fashioned with a single malt or blended Scotch whisky, some enthusiasts will point out you’re not drinking an Old Fashioned at all, you’re actually drinking a Rob Roy. But what’s in a name, as another ‘old fashioned’ favourite once wrote? When you swap out a bourbon for a blended or single malt Scotch, you can really play with flavours and get something unexpected from the traditional cocktail. Consider something like a peated Scotch for a smoky twist, though it's a significant departure from the classic recipe.

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Old Fashioned recipes

Could we call ourselves experts without imparting our knowledge of two of our go-to Old Fashioned recipes? We hope you enjoy them as much as we do.

TRADITIONAL

The classic Old Fashioned

Keeping it traditional, the bourbon Old Fashioned is not old – it’s classic.

You'll need:

60ml bourbon
10ml 2:1 sugar syrup (two parts sugar dissolved over heat into one part water)
Two dashes of aromatic bitters
A slice of orange peel and a maraschino cherry

To make:

Fill a rocks glass with ice
Pour in your whisky, syrup and bitters
Stir and finish with an orange peel and cherry garnish

FIERY

The Talisker Old Fashioned

If you like your whisky cocktails with a bit more fire – smoke, pepper, peat – the rugged flavours of Talisker are the perfect base.

You'll need:

50ml Talisker Skye Single Malt
5ml 2:1 sugar syrup (two parts sugar dissolved over heat into one part water)
One dash of aromatic bitters
A slice of orange peel and a maraschino cherry

To make:

Fill a rocks glass with ice
Pour in your whisky, syrup and bitters
Stir and finish with an orange peel and cherry garnish

An Old Fashioned cocktail sits on a table by canapes, dominoes and cards

Three women sit on a sofa laughing, one holds an Old Fashioned cocktail and another holds a Manhattan

The final word

So what are you waiting for? Pick up that bourbon (or whisky, we don't judge) and mix yourself a beautifully simple Old Fashioned because you've earned it. While sipping, if you're looking for more cocktail inspiration, you may enjoy our guide to the best whisky cocktails ever, which takes you beyond the Old Fashioned into plenty more recipes. Enjoy.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Find more answers to all your questions about the Old Fashioned, how to make it, and the best whiskies to use.

Who invented the Old Fashioned?

Forget Doctor Pepper, it’s all about Colonel Pepper when it comes to this classic whisky cocktail. Colonel James E. Pepper, a prominent bourbon distiller, is most commonly attributed with introducing (or popularising) the whiskey cocktail at a bar in Louisville, Kentucky in the 1880s.

Is an Old Fashioned an aperitif or a digestif?

Let’s be honest, there’s never a wrong time to sip an Old Fashioned. That being said, because of the higher alcohol content and the boldness of the aromatic flavours, they make for great after-dinner drinks, savoured with a cleared palate.

Can you use any whisky for an Old Fashioned?

The answer to this is… it depends. In the most literal sense, yes, you can use any kind of whisky in an Old Fashioned cocktail. However, bourbon is considered the traditional whiskey to be used in the recipe and if you swap this out for a single malt or a blended Scotch, it’s no longer technically an Old Fashioned, it becomes a Rob Roy.

What type of whisky is best for an Old Fashioned?

Bourbon is the standard whisky recommended for an Old Fashioned. This isn’t just out of habit, either. The finish of a bourbon - usually with notes of vanilla and a creamy smoothness thanks to its American oak casks - balances the bite of the bitters in the cocktail.

What garnishes work best with an Old Fashioned?

A garnish isn’t just great for presentation, when thoughtfully chosen, it highlights flavours of the drink. For an Old Fashioned, a zest of orange peel balances with the aromatic bitters and the smooth whisky. Other complementary garnish flavours included a maraschino cherry, dark chocolate shavings or a sprig of rosemary.