At Bardstown Bourbon Company, we’re constantly exploring what’s next, but some classics are too good to leave behind. Manhattan is one of them. With just three ingredients, it’s a cocktail that’s stood the test of time. And while the build stays simple, the whiskey you choose makes all the difference. That’s where Bardstown comes in. Whether you lean bold, smooth, or spice-forward, our lineup offers a fresh way to riff on tradition, without ever losing sight of what made the original great.
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A Classic, Built to Showcase the Whiskey
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The Manhattan first showed up in the late 1800s, some say at New York’s Manhattan Club; others believe it evolved more gradually. Either way, it’s been a staple ever since. Originally made with rye, it later welcomed bourbon into the mix, and today, both styles are fair game.
What hasn’t changed is the structure: just whiskey, sweet vermouth, and bitters. When done right, it’s clean, rich, and balanced, everything a great cocktail should be.
Bardstown’s Manhattan Build
- 2 oz Bardstown Bourbon or Rye
- 1 oz premium sweet vermouth
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- Garnish: Luxardo cherry or orange twist
Method
- Add all ingredients to a mixing glass with ice
- Stir for 25–30 seconds until well chilled
- Strain into a coupe or over a large cube
- Garnish and serve
Pro tip: A well-stirred Manhattan hits around 20–25% dilution, cool enough for texture, clear enough for clarity.
How Bardstown Expressions Can Shape the Cocktail
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This is where Manhattan gets personal. Each of Bardstown’s core expressions brings its own voice to the glass, changing the tone, the texture, and the finish of the cocktail.
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Bourbon
With a bold 36% rye in the mash bill, our bourbon punches through every ingredient with clarity and spice. It holds its own against herbal vermouth and brings structure to every sip, classic, confident, and anything but background noise.
Bottled‑in‑Bond Bourbon
At 100 proof and 20% wheat, this expression strikes a rare balance between strength and sweetness. It’s robust enough to stand tall in the glass, while that soft wheat element adds an easy roundness that pulls the whole drink together.
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High Wheat Bourbon
Bottled at 106 proof, this one’s full-bodied with a velvety finish. The wheated mash bill smooths the edges, and its elevated proof gives it the weight to carry through without getting lost. Try it with orange bitters for a softer, citrus-leaning riff.
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Double Barreled Rye
Spice-driven and layered, this rye sings in a Manhattan. Finished in cherry wood barrels, it delivers a subtle stone fruit note that pairs beautifully with sweet vermouth and bitters, rounding out the edges while leaving its signature spice intact.
Together, these expressions let you dial in your Manhattan exactly the way you like it-bold or smooth, spice-forward or rounded, while keeping the whiskey firmly at the center of the glass.
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Tweak the Details: Vermouth, Bitters & Garnish
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Even with just three ingredients, there’s room to explore. Small tweaks can unlock big changes in flavor.
Vermouth
Opt for a high-quality sweet vermouth, one that offers complexity and balance. Once opened, store it in the fridge and use it within 30 days. Richer vermouths work well with high-proof bourbons and rye; lighter options complement wheated styles.
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Bitters
- Angostura: classic, balanced, reliable
- Orange bitters: lifts softer, wheat-forward bourbons
- Chocolate or barrel-aged bitters‌: deepen spice and echo oak in rye or Bottled-in-Bond.Â
Mixing bitters or adjusting the dash count gives you more control without complicating the build.
Garnish
Keep it simple and clean. A cherry for richness, an orange twist for brightness, or both if you want to layer it up.
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Hosting with the Manhattan
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A Manhattan isn’t just a great solo pour; it’s also your best friend when hosting.
- Batch ahead: Use a 2:1 ratio (whiskey: vermouth) with bitters. Chill and store for up to three days in the fridge. Stir individual servings before pouring.
- Offer options: Pour the same build with bourbon, Bottled-in-Bond, High Wheat, and Rye, so guests can explore different profiles side by side.
- Serve with intent: Use chilled coupes or a single clear cube. Presentation matters, and people remember it.
Whether it’s a dinner party or a casual get-together, Manhattan adds a touch of polish with very little prep.
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A Classic, Made Your Way
There’s a reason Manhattan has lasted for more than a century: it gets the fundamentals right. But with the right whiskey, it becomes more than a classic. It becomes yours.
Whether you build it bold with Bottled‑in‑Bond, soft with High Wheat, or spice it up with Double Barreled Rye, you’re not just making a drink. You’re shaping flavor with intention. Raise a glass to a classic. Explore the Origin Series today!