Best Bourbon for an Old Fashioned: Top Picks at Every Price

You don't need an allocated unicorn to make a great Old Fashioned, but you do want a bourbon with real backbone. Below are our top picks, all in stock, from everyday value to barrel-proof showpieces.

What Makes a Great Old Fashioned Bourbon

Three things matter. Proof: aim for 90-100+ so the bourbon cuts through sugar and bitters rather than getting lost. A barrel-proof bottle gives you even more room. Flavor: bold notes of caramel, vanilla, oak, and spice stand up best. Mashbill: high-rye bourbons add a spicy edge that many prefer in the drink, while wheated bourbons make a softer, rounder Old Fashioned. Browse the full bourbon collection to compare, and see the classic Old Fashioned recipe for the build.

Best Value: Everyday Old Fashioned Bourbons

You can build an excellent Old Fashioned without spending much. Bowman Brothers Single Barrel Select, our own hand-picked barrel, is smooth, characterful, and a genuine value. Jefferson's Reserve Single Barrel is a higher-proof, robust pick built for cocktails. Knob Creek 9 Year is a classic high-proof, high-rye workhorse that practically defines the cocktail.

Best Mid-Range: Stepping It Up

For more depth, Yellowstone 7 Year Single Barrel at 119 proof brings serious flavor and intensity. Old Fitzgerald 7 Year Bottled-in-Bond is a wheated, 100-proof option for a softer, rounder Old Fashioned. NULU Toasted adds a rich, double-oaked sweetness that plays beautifully with bitters.

Best Premium: Barrel-Proof Power

For the boldest Old Fashioned, barrel proof is the answer. Elijah Craig Barrel Proof is a cult-favorite cocktail bourbon, massive flavor that you can dilute to taste. Stagg, the uncut Buffalo Trace release, makes a legendary (and potent) Old Fashioned for special occasions.

How to Build the Perfect Old Fashioned

Once you've picked your bourbon, keep it simple: 2 oz bourbon, a sugar cube or bar spoon of simple syrup, 2-3 dashes of Angostura bitters, stirred over a large ice cube and finished with an expressed orange peel. For the full method and variations, see our Old Fashioned recipe, and explore more in our bourbon cocktails guide. New to bourbon? Our complete bourbon buyer's guide covers every style.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best bourbon for an Old Fashioned?
A flavorful, 90-100+ proof bourbon. Single barrels like Bowman Brothers or Jefferson's Reserve, classics like Knob Creek, or a barrel-proof like Elijah Craig all make excellent Old Fashioneds.

What proof bourbon is best for an Old Fashioned?
90-100 proof is the sweet spot, with enough strength to cut through the sugar and bitters. Barrel-proof bourbons work too and can be diluted to taste.

Should I use expensive bourbon in an Old Fashioned?
No need. A flavorful mid-priced bourbon makes a better-value Old Fashioned than an allocated bottle. Save the rare stuff for sipping neat.

High-rye or wheated bourbon for an Old Fashioned?
High-rye gives a spicier, more classic Old Fashioned; wheated gives a softer, sweeter one. Both are excellent, it's down to preference.