POV: You Created your Very Own Bottle of Whiskey & Now It's Time to Enjoy

Creating the perfect Old Fashioned cocktail starts with selecting the right bourbon. The bourbon not only serves as the foundation but also influences the cocktail's overall flavor profile. Here's a list of the top 10 bourbons that are highly recommended for crafting the best Old Fashioned: Buffalo Trace A versatile favorite known for its balanced sweetness and notes of vanilla and caramel, making it an excellent base for an Old Fashioned. Woodford Reserve This high-proof bourbon offers rich flavors of dried fruits and spices, contributing to a complex and robust cocktail. Oak & Eden Bourbon & Spire Innovative with its in-bottle spire that continues to infuse flavors over time, this bourbon evolves, adding a unique dynamic to each drink. Knob Creek At 100 proof, Knob Creek provides the strength needed to stand up to the dilution of ice, adding depth with its woody and rich caramel notes. Bulleit Bourbon Popular for its high rye content, Bulleit adds a spicy kick to the Old Fashioned, complemented by sweet tones of maple and oak. Four Roses Single Barrel Known for its floral aroma and flavors of ripe plum and cherries, it brings a unique and flavorful twist to the traditional cocktail. Maker’s Mark With its softer flavor profile featuring sweet, creamy caramel and vanilla, Maker’s Mark creates a smoother, milder Old Fashioned. Wild Turkey 101 This bourbon stands out with its high proof and bold flavors, including notes of honey, butter, and a hint of orange, which add a vibrant kick to the cocktail. Eagle Rare This bourbon offers a complex array of flavors with hints of toffee, honey, and toasted oak, making for a sophisticated Old Fashioned. Rittenhouse Rye While not a bourbon, Rittenhouse Rye deserves mention for its robust and spicy profile that makes a bold, flavorful Old Fashioned.

When it comes to crafting the quintessential Old Fashioned, the choice of bourbon is not just a detail—it's the foundation of this storied cocktail. While Oak & Eden proudly offers a range of whiskeys that can enhance any cocktail, it's important to explore what characteristics make a bourbon ideal for an Old Fashioned. This discussion will also touch on why rye whiskey is a notable contender for those who appreciate a spicier, more robust version of this classic drink. Understanding the Profile of an Ideal Bourbon The Old Fashioned is a cocktail that relies heavily on the whiskey used, as it's combined with only a few simple ingredients—sugar, bitters, and water. This minimalism means the chosen bourbon's flavor profile significantly influences the drink's final taste. Here are several key qualities to consider when selecting a bourbon for an Old Fashioned: 1. Rich Flavor with Balanced Sweetness The bourbon should have a noticeable depth of flavor, with a pleasing balance of sweetness. Caramel and vanilla notes, typical of many bourbons due to the charred oak aging process, contribute to a richer, smoother Old Fashioned. 2. High Proof A higher-proof bourbon, typically around 90-100 proof, is often recommended. The higher alcohol content ensures that the bourbon's robust flavors can stand up to dilution from the ice and integration with the sugar and bitters. This doesn't mean the strongest bourbon you can find; rather, it should be potent enough to maintain its character in the cocktail. 3. Complexity and Finish The bourbon should offer complexity and a pleasant finish. Elements like a touch of spice, wood, and fruit undertones can add an intriguing layer to your Old Fashioned, enhancing the overall drinking experience. Ever Consider Rye Whiskey? Rye whiskey, which is often spicier and fruitier than bourbon, can also be an excellent choice for an Old Fashioned. Its inherent spice profile complements the sweetness of the cocktail’s sugar and the depth of the bitters, providing a bolder, often more balanced flavor. For those looking to deviate slightly from the norm while maintaining the spirit of the classic cocktail, rye offers an appealing alternative. Popular Picks While the perfect bourbon for an Old Fashioned can vary based on personal preference, here are a few commonly preferred choices: Oak & Eden Bourbon & Spire: This innovative bourbon features a unique twist with a wood spire inserted into the bottle, which continues to impart subtle flavors over time. Its smooth profile enhanced with vanilla and caramel tones from the spire makes it a unique and evolving choice for an Old Fashioned. Oak & Eden Rye & Spire: For those who prefer a spicier take on their cocktail, Oak & Eden’s Rye & Spire brings a bold flavor profile with its rye spice complemented by the additional complexity from the in-bottle spire. This choice offers a vibrant, peppery twist to the classic cocktail, providing a balanced yet bold flavor. Buffalo Trace: Known for its rich and complex flavors with vanilla, toffee, and candied fruit, it strikes a nice balance in an Old Fashioned. Woodford Reserve: Its high proof and flavor notes of dried fruit, spices, and chocolate make it a robust base for the cocktail. Knob Creek: The 100 proof and rich woodiness stand up well to the dilution and complement the sweetness and bitterness beautifully. Selecting the right bourbon for an Old Fashioned is about more than just grabbing any bottle from the shelf. It involves understanding the nuances that each type of whiskey brings to the cocktail. Whether you choose a classic bourbon with a smooth finish or a spicy rye, the key is to balance all the ingredients to create a harmonious and delightful experience. At Oak & Eden, we celebrate the craft of whiskey and encourage enthusiasts to explore their tastes, perhaps even with one of our carefully crafted bottles. Cheers to finding your perfect match for the ultimate Old Fashioned.

At Oak & Eden, we are proud to stand among giants in the whiskey industry, each brand with its own story and method. Today, we draw a comparison between our innovative approach and the classic Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style, a staple of whiskey lore. This exploration celebrates the heritage embedded in Old Forester's approach, while highlighting the forward-thinking innovation that defines Oak & Eden. Celebrating Old Forester 1920 Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style is part of their Whiskey Row Series, designed to honor the distillery's rich history during Prohibition when it was one of the few to be granted a permit to produce medicinal whiskey. This expression is crafted to emulate the style and strength of the bourbon produced by Old Forester at that time, which was known for its robust character. Bottled at 115 proof, it delivers rich, intense flavors of chocolate, caramel, and spice, making it a favorite among enthusiasts seeking depth and complexity. The Innovation of Oak & Eden In contrast, Oak & Eden whiskey embodies the spirit of modern craft distillation. Our signature approach involves an in-bottle finishing technique, where a spiral-cut piece of wood, called a "spire," is placed inside each bottle of whiskey. This method is not just a novelty; it introduces an ongoing maturation process within the bottle, allowing the whiskey to evolve and gain additional flavors over time. The result is a dynamic and ever-changing profile that offers a unique experience with each bottle. Our range includes various expressions, each influenced by different wood types and toasting levels, providing a diverse palette that appeals to modern tastes, and even allows our customers to customize their own unique bottle of whiskey. Flavor Comparison: Complexity vs. Evolution Old Forester 1920 delivers a classic bourbon experience with its deep, rich flavors that echo the historic roots of American whiskey. It's a nod to the past, perfect for those who appreciate a strong, well-rounded bourbon with a story to tell. The taste is profound, marked by an unmistakable intensity that reflects its high-proof lineage, with notes of chocolate covered graham cracker dusted with cinnamon. Oak & Eden, however, offers a different journey with each sip. The introduction of the wood spire not only adds complexity but also allows the character of the whiskey to grow and change, potentially offering a new experience every time you open the bottle. From vanilla and caramel to subtle hints of fruit and floral notes, our whiskey is designed to surprise and engage the palate in a way that traditional bourbons do not. Conclusion: Heritage Meets Innovation Choosing between Old Forester 1920 and Oak & Eden Whiskey might come down to what you seek in a whiskey. If you're drawn to historical authenticity and a powerful, profound flavor profile, Old Forester 1920 is an excellent choice. On the other hand, if you're intrigued by the idea of a whiskey that evolves and offers a personalized experience, Oak & Eden’s innovative approach will likely capture your imagination and palate. At Oak & Eden, we respect the traditions that have shaped the whiskey industry while also embracing the possibilities that innovation brings. We believe there's a place for both the timeless and the contemporary in the world of whiskey, and we invite you to explore and enjoy both.