The Best Bourbon for an Old Fashioned

10 Bottles Worth Pouring

There are cocktails that come and go, and then there’s the Old Fashioned.

Simple, bold, and timeless, the Old Fashioned lets a good bourbon do what it does best. With little more than whiskey, sugar, bitters, ice, and a touch of citrus, there’s nowhere for the bourbon to hide—which makes choosing the right bottle part of the fun.

And here in Wisconsin, we certainly know a thing or two about Old Fashioneds! While our state is famous for the Brandy Old Fashioned, bourbon makes a fantastic version when you’re craving something richer, oakier, and more whiskey-forward. The Wisconsin version traditionally adds muddled fruit and soda, while the classic whiskey Old Fashioned stays closer to the simple spirit-sugar-bitters formula. (Liquor.com)

So, which bourbon should you grab? Here are 10 great bourbons for building an Old Fashioned, plus everything you need to make one at home.

What Is an Old Fashioned?

The Old Fashioned is one of the true classics of cocktail history. At its heart, it follows an incredibly simple formula: spirit + sugar + bitters + water/dilution. Its roots trace back to the early Whiskey Cocktail, with the familiar name developing as drinkers began asking bartenders for their whiskey cocktail made the “old-fashioned” way. (Liquor.com)

That simplicity is exactly why bourbon works so well. Bourbon commonly brings flavors such as caramel, vanilla, oak, baking spice, and fruit, while the sugar softens the spirit and the bitters add aromatic complexity. (Liquor.com)

And because the bourbon is the star of the show, the bottle you choose can noticeably change the personality of your cocktail.

10 Great Bourbons for an Old Fashioned

1. Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon
A terrific all-around choice. Buffalo Trace’s approachable combination of sweetness, oak, vanilla, and spice makes it easy to build a balanced Old Fashioned without overwhelming the other ingredients.

2. Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon
If you like a rich, full-flavored Old Fashioned, Woodford Reserve is an easy bottle to reach for. Its combination of oak, sweetness, spice, and darker flavors pairs beautifully with aromatic bitters and orange.

3. Wild Turkey 101
Want your bourbon to stand up and be noticed? This one’s for you. At 101 proof, Wild Turkey brings vanilla and caramel sweetness along with oak, baking spice, and an orange-peel finish. Wild Turkey itself specifically highlights the bourbon’s ability to hold its flavor in an Old Fashioned. (Wild Turkey)

4. Four Roses Small Batch
A nice choice when you want complexity without making the cocktail feel overly heavy. Its fruity and spicy character can produce a smooth, aromatic Old Fashioned that’s especially nice with an orange twist.

5. Old Forester 100 Proof
Another excellent option when you want a little extra punch. The higher proof helps the bourbon remain front and center after stirring with ice, sugar, and bitters.

6. Maker’s Mark
Wheated bourbons can be a great fit for drinkers who prefer their Old Fashioned on the softer, sweeter side. Maker’s Mark also recommends the Old Fashioned format for its bourbon, pairing whiskey with sugar, Angostura bitters, and expressed orange peel. (Makers Mark)

7. Knob Creek 9 Year Bourbon
For a deeper, more robust cocktail, reach for Knob Creek. Its mature oak character and rich bourbon flavors work especially well when paired with a darker sweetener such as demerara syrup or maple syrup.

8. Elijah Craig Small Batch
A 94-proof bourbon with notes described by the distillery as vanilla bean, sweet fruit, fresh mint, wood, spice, smoke, and nutmeg. That combination gives you plenty to work with in a classic cocktail, and Elijah Craig specifically promotes Small Batch for an Old Fashioned. (Elijah Craig)

9. Bulleit Bourbon
If you enjoy a spicier Old Fashioned, Bulleit is worth trying. Its rye-forward character provides extra spice that can balance the sweetness of the cocktail nicely.

10. Russell’s Reserve 10 Year Bourbon
For a slow-sipping Old Fashioned, an older bourbon such as Russell’s Reserve 10 Year can bring additional oak and mature whiskey character. Keep the sugar restrained so the bourbon remains the focus.

The fun part? There really isn’t one bourbon everyone has to use. Your personal whiskey preference matters, and the Old Fashioned is flexible enough to work with many different styles. (Liquor.com)

Old Fashioned Cocktail Ingredients

For a classic Bourbon Old Fashioned, you don’t need much:

  • 2 oz bourbon1 teaspoon sugar or a small amount of simple syrup
  • 2–3 dashes Angostura aromatic bitter
  • 1 teaspoon water if using granulated sugar
  • 1 large ice cube
  • Orange peel for garnish
  • Cocktail cherry — optional

Want to experiment? Try replacing the regular sugar with demerara syrup, brown sugar syrup, or maple syrup. A richer sugar can work especially nicely with higher-proof bourbon. (Liquor.com)

How to Make an Old Fashioned

  1. Start by adding the sugar and bitters to a mixing glass. Add the water and stir until the sugar is nearly dissolved.
  2. Add 2 ounces of your favorite bourbon and plenty of ice. Stir until thoroughly chilled and slightly diluted.
  3. Strain into a rocks glass over one large ice cube.
  4. Finish by expressing an orange peel over the cocktail to release those fragrant citrus oils, then drop the peel into the glass.
  5. That’s it.

No complicated equipment. No long list of ingredients. Just bourbon doing what bourbon does best. This basic method follows the classic Bourbon Old Fashioned preparation. (Liquor.com)

Entertaining Serving Suggestions: What to Serve with a Bourbon Old Fashioned

An Old Fashioned is made for sipping, snacking, and good conversation. If you’re serving them at a party, put out appetizers with enough flavor to complement the bourbon without overpowering it.

Try smoked meats and cheeses with aged cheddar, Gouda, summer sausage, salami, crackers, and mustard. Bourbon’s caramel, oak, and spice notes are right at home alongside smoky and salty flavors.

For something warm, serve bacon-wrapped dates, BBQ meatballs, bourbon-glazed cocktail sausages, smoked wings, or mini pulled-pork sliders.

Want something a little more Wisconsin? A platter of cheese curds, summer sausage, aged Wisconsin cheddar, pretzel bites, and beer cheese dip is hard to argue with.

And don’t forget dessert. Dark chocolate, chocolate-covered pretzels, candied pecans, caramel popcorn, apple desserts, and pecan pie bites can all play nicely with bourbon’s sweeter vanilla, caramel, and oak characteristics.

The best way to find your favorite Old Fashioned might just be to make a few—with different bourbons, of course. Whether you’re stocking the home bar, planning a get-together, or simply looking for something new to pour, we’ll help you find a bottle worthy of your next Old Fashioned.

Please drink responsibly.