8 American Whiskeys For A Perfect Old Fashioned

We’re finally bringing our Around The World of Whiskey series stateside for our first collection of American Whiskeys.

This week we’re covering all of our favorite bottles for mixing up a killer Old Fashioned Cocktail. While an old fashioned traditionally called for rye, we think any of these bottles would make for an excellent mixed drink. Not into an Old Fashioned? Why not mix up a Whiskey Smash instead?

Catoctin Creek Roundstone Rye 92 Proof “Distillers Edition”

This Virginia Distillery has quickly been making a name for themselves nationwide with their award-winning collection of spirits. For the creation of their Distillers edition they select only one out of every ten barrels they make to set aside for this exceptional rye whisky. The barrels are specifically curated for their interesting notes, exceptional flavor, and remarkable smoothness.

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Sagamore Spirit Signature Rye Whiskey

This blend of two straight rye mash bills is aged four to six years in American Oak barrels with a high-char. A high-rye whiskey adds notes of clove and cinnamon while a low-rye whiskey adds citrus peel, honey, and caramel. The finish is lingering with subtle notes of walnut and brown sugar.

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Basil Hayden Dark Rye

A stunning expression from Basil Hayden, the Dark Rye starts with a base of Kentucky Rye that provides a strong flavor foundation of oak, spice, dried fruit, and subtle molasses. A layer of Canadian Rye from Alberta Distillery is carefully blended in, along with a touch of California Port for a full-bodied spirit with nuance and complex flavors.

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Lost Lantern American Vatted Malt Edition No. 1

American Vatted is one of the first blended single malts to be made in the United States; the bottling brings together six distillers from around the US. To create this unique spirit, founders and master distillers from each of the six distilleries came together with hand selected barrels to work, blend, and taste together to create this stunning spirit. A total of 12 barrels were brought together to create this 3,000 bottle run. The distilleries involved include: Balcones, Copperworks, Santa Fe Spirits, Triple Eight Distillery, Westward Whiskey, and Virginia Distilling Co.

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Uncle Nearest 1884 Small Batch Whiskey

Inspired by the first African American Master Distiller on record, Nearest Green, Uncle Nearest crafts three award-winning whiskey expressions including the 1884 Small Batch. Each barrel used in this expression is hand chosen by Master Blender, Victoria Eady Butler. The spirit is aged a minimum of seven years and bottled at 93-proof for a smooth sipping spirit.

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Balcones Lineage Texas Single Malt Whisky

Made in the heart of Texas, Balcones Distillery uses meticulously sourced ingredients to craft their whiskey. Lineage brings together Scottish and Texas-grown barley using an innovative process that brings old and new tradition together. The whiskey opens with a sweet nose with notes of sourdough starter, cream soda, bruised banana, peaches and tea tree. On the palate you’ll find a carnalized sweetness followed by soft oak, manuka honey, chestnuts, and a hint of red wine reduction.

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Hudson Whiskey NY Short Stack

Created as a toast to New York City diners, Short Stack is a New York Straight Rye Whiskey that is aged a minimum of 3 years before being finished in Vermont maple syrup barrels. Before it’s time picking up maple-y sweetness, it mellows in American oak casks. A blend of 95% Rye and 5% Malted Barley give this whiskey a bold rye spice with a rounded, subtle sweetness from the maple.

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Blackened American Whiskey

Created in a collaboration between Metallica and Master Distiller Dave Pickerell, Blackened American Whiskey is a blend of hand-selected bourbons and ryes from across the nation. Each batch of whiskey spends time listening to its own curated Metallica playlist––the vibrations from the sound waves allow the spirit to penetrate deeper into the wood and extract more flavor. The brand calls this unique finishing process Black Noise and has found it adds deeper notes of caramel, honey, vanilla, and wood flavor.