In that location are ii kinds of people in this earth: those who like an Old Fashioned, and those who don't. In virtually cases, those who drink Sometime Fashioned cocktails regularly have a particular, ardent preference in the type of whiskey their drinkable is made with.

And since the Old Fashioned is basically alcohol, sugar, Angostura bitters, and ice, the whiskey matters. A lot. Non to overwhelm — since whiskey tin do that — the master factors we're looking for are either a bourbon that isn't too sweetness, a rye that isn't too spicy, and a whiskey that's sufficiently high proof and dry to withstand both the sugar cube and ice dilution. Bear in mind, since an Old Fashioned is a mixed drink, you don't wanna break the bank on either bourbon or rye. Buy decent, simply don't buy improvident — salvage those bottles for thoughtful sipping.

Here are the best whiskeys for making One-time Fashioned cocktails.

Four Roses Pocket-sized Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon

Four Roses Small Batch is one of the best whiskeys for an Old Fashioned cocktail.

"Small-scale batch" may non be a legal term, but what you'll find in the Four Roses bottle will sense of taste spot-on. Caramel, butterscotch, undercut past spice and a prickle of red berries.

Jim Axle White Label Bourbon Whiskey

Jim Beam Kentucky Straight Bourbon is one of the best whiskeys for an Old Fashioned cocktail.
Considering it's been made with the same formula since the late 18th Century, information technology must be pretty good. Non as deep every bit other bourbons, just consequent, shine, and spicy — mayhap the ideal affordable bourbon to mix with.

Rittenhouse Straight Rye Bottled-In-Bond

Rittenhouse Rye is one of the best whiskeys for an Old Fashioned cocktail.
Here'southward some truly affordable rye grapheme. A bit more pluck than a classic bourbon, with distinct notes of pepper and subtle fruit to round it out. Oak notes, with caramel and spice, border out a dryer finish. A bracing spirit, capable of property its own against sugar cubes, water, or just a long twenty-four hour period.

Onetime Overholt Direct Rye

Old Overholt Bonded Straight Rye Whiskey is one of the best whiskeys for an Old Fashioned cocktail.

Quondam Overholt is certainly the stuff Don Draper drinks (at to the lowest degree once), but it's also just a great entry-level rye, affordable (should be under $20) but not weirdly "cheap," with counterbalanced and a bit less prickly, rye notes swirling effectually a smoother torso.

Sazerac Rye

Sazerac Rye is one of the best whiskeys for an Old Fashioned cocktail.

Rich, lustrous, exotic, spicy — y'all tin can kind of keep complimenting this rye for a while and it won't become embarrassing. Sip earlier you mix, and drink the Onetime Fashioned you brand with information technology slowly.

Widow Jane Oak & Apple tree Woods Aged Rye

Widow Jane Oak & Apple Wood Aged Rye is one of the best whiskeys for an Old Fashioned cocktail.

Brooklyn's Widow Jane adds a proprietary spin to its rye whiskey by introducing applewood staves into the barrels during maturation. The finished spirit has rye-forrard aromas complemented by a hint of cornbread, while the palate delivers sugariness and spice, with a bitter nighttime chocolate finish, perfect for a complex Quondam Fashioned.

Elijah Craig Small Batch

Elijah Craig Small Batch is one of the best whiskeys for an Old Fashioned cocktail.

Elijah Craig Small Batch serves an enjoyably refined, nuanced drinking experience for a canteen that can easily be found for less than $30. It starts out with vibrant, fruity aromas and tingling rye spice. As you move onto the palate, the influence of oak adds further depth and layers of flavor, culminating in a toasty cease where all the flavors come together as one. Its 94 proof strikes a real sweetness spot, making this a quality but affordable weekday sipper you tin absolutely enjoy neat.

Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond

Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond is one of the best whiskeys for an Old Fashioned cocktail.

Robust enough for classics like the Quondam Fashioned, this whiskey offers tons of character, from the crack of pepper on the nose to a distinctly sugariness and fruity palate. This isn't the bottle you lot pull off your shelf to impress friends merely that doesn't mean it'due south lacking individual charm or entreatment — and you certainly tin't debate with the $15 cost tag.

Hawkeye Rare Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Eagle Rare Bourbon is one of the best whiskeys for an Old Fashioned cocktail.

Don't confuse this with Eagle Rare Unmarried Barrel — that's probable amend to sip on its own (since information technology'southward not a blended bourbon, just the "ane time only," idiosyncratic expression of a barrel). But Eagle Rare x Yr will give y'all one of the more than luxurious experiences of a bourbon Old Fashioned, with a subtle depth of flavor that wouldn't (shouldn't) exist expected for the cost.

Buffalo Trace Bourbon

Buffalo Trace Bourbon is one of the best whiskeys for an Old Fashioned cocktail.

A rest of corn and rye, with more corn (sugariness, caramel, vanilla notes) after crumbling. You'll get a smooth Quondam Fashioned with some subtle hints of spice. An added bonus: this is often the bourbon arts and crafts cocktail confined use for their traditional Old Fashioned.

Wild Turkey 101 Rye

Wild Turkey 101 Rye is one of the best whiskeys for an Old Fashioned cocktail.

Well rounded, with a sweet profile, notes of fresh herbs and savory spices add an extra dimension to its profile. At 101 proof, it's more capable of belongings its ain in an Former Fashioned.

Starward Nova Single Malt Australian Whisky

Starward Nova Single Malt Australian Whisky is one of the best whiskeys for an Old Fashioned cocktail.

Drawing inspiration from Commonwealth of australia's brewers and winemakers, this whisky'due south malted barley mash uses brewer's yeast for fermentation, while the finished double-distilled spirit ages in red wine barrels sourced from the Yarra and Barossa valleys. The end upshot is a single malt that serves vibrant red fruit and baking spice notes, which go far in bold only counterbalanced proportions.