At Bardstown Bourbon Company, we’re always exploring new flavors, finishes, and ideas, but when it comes to the Old Fashioned, we stick with what works. This cocktail doesn’t need reinvention. It needs intention. A few ingredients, well chosen. A great bourbon, stirred with purpose. A drink where what’s in the glass reflects the quality of what went into the bottle.
Whether you’re building your home bar or sharpening your cocktail instincts, the Old Fashioned offers something rare: a simple drink that leaves nowhere to hide. And that’s exactly why we love it.
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Why the Old Fashioned Puts Bourbon Front and Center
The Old Fashioned is a bourbon cocktail. With just sugar, bitters, and citrus oil to round out the profile, the spirit doesn’t get masked-it takes the lead.
Here’s what each element brings to the glass:
- Sugar smooths the edges without hiding structure
- Bitters lift complexity with spice and herbal depth
- Orange oils brighten the finish with clean aromatics
That’s it. No mixers. No juices. No distractions. This isn’t a cocktail that tries to transform bourbon. It reveals it.
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How Bardstown Expressions Can Shape the Cocktail
Every bourbon has a voice, and each of ours brings something unique to the Old Fashioned. It’s not about better or best-it’s about flavor, texture, and balance.
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Bourbon (96 proof, high-rye mash bill)
With 36% rye, this bourbon brings energy, structure, and lift. Its spice cuts through sweetness and bitterness with clarity. Rich notes of caramel and oak hold the base, while cinnamon and citrus bring a finish that stays sharp and clean.
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Bottled‑in‑Bond Bourbon (100 proof, 20% wheat)
Higher proof gives it backbone; the wheat brings softness. This one balances power and sweetness in a way that makes it ideal for a classic build. Round, strong, and remarkably smooth.
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High Wheat Bourbon (106 proof)
A plush, full-bodied pour with velvety texture and pastry-like warmth. The higher proof keeps it from getting lost, while the wheated mash bill adds creamy depth that turns the Old Fashioned into a richer, more indulgent take.
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Double Barreled Rye
Spice-forward and complex, but never aggressive. Finished in cherry wood, this rye brings a subtle stone fruit note, plum, cherry, even dried apricot, that plays beautifully with demerara syrup and chocolate or barrel-aged bitters.
Whether you’re stirring for structure or softness, Bardstown offers a pour to match your taste.
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Mastering the Old Fashioned: Recipe and Ritual
The Old Fashioned rewards intention, where every measure and movement exists to support the bourbon at its core. This build honors tradition, focusing on balance and structure so the character of the whiskey leads from first sip to finish.
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Bardstown Old Fashioned Build
- 2 oz Bardstown Bourbon (your choice)
- 1 oz simple syrup (or ¾ oz demerara syrup for a more spirit-forward version)
- 2–3 dashes bitters (Angostura is the standard; orange or chocolate optional)
- Orange peel, expressed and dropped in
- Optional: Luxardo cherry
How to Build It
- Add bourbon, syrup, and bitters to a mixing glass with ice.
- Stir gently for 20–25 seconds until well chilled and diluted.
- Strain into a rocks glass over a large clear ice cube.
- Express the orange peel over the drink and drop it in.
Note: The syrup isn’t there to sweeten, it’s there to structure. If you’re using demerara syrup or prefer a more bourbon-forward build, reduce the syrup to ¾ oz or even ½ oz to let the whiskey take center stage.
Hosting with the Old Fashioned
The Old Fashioned might be simple, but it leaves a strong impression when served with care.
- Batch in small quantities: Stirred, not shaken, and kept cold in the fridge. Pour over fresh ice when ready.
- Set up a mini flight: Let guests try the same spec with different Bardstown expressions. They’ll see how high rye vs. wheated changes everything.
- Keep the setup clean: A bar spoon, a chilled glass, and a twist of citrus, there’s beauty in simplicity.
This is your showpiece drink. Build it right, and your guests won’t forget it.
A Classic That Doesn’t Need a Twist
The Old Fashioned lasts because it gets to the point. It respects the bourbon. It doesn’t cover or compete. And it rewards the kind of whiskey made with intent.
At Bardstown Bourbon Company, we craft each expression to stand on its own, or in a cocktail that lets it lead. From our high-rye Bourbon to our rich, wheated Bottled-in-Bond and our expressive Rye, there’s a pour in our portfolio that will reshape your next Old Fashioned in all the right ways.
Explore our full lineup at bardstownbourbon.com, and build your Old Fashioned with purpose.