An Old Fashioned is three things in a glass: bourbon, sugar, bitters. Which means the bourbon is 80% of the drink, and 80% of bourbons make a forgettable Old Fashioned. We pulled 12 bottles from our shelves, made the same 2oz Old Fashioned with each, and ranked them by how they actually drank — not by price, age, or label hype. Here's the verdict from the Buffalo House bar.
Want to skip the test and just get the bottle? All 12 below are in stock for same-day Buffalo delivery. Shop bourbon → · Call (716) 770-1230
What Makes a Great Old Fashioned Bourbon?
Three things matter, in this order:
- Proof. An Old Fashioned dilutes — sugar, water from stirring, and ice all soften the bourbon. Anything under 90 proof gets washed out. The sweet spot is 95–110 proof.
- High-rye or wheated mash bill. A high-rye bourbon brings spice that cuts through the sugar. A wheated bourbon brings softness that makes it dangerously drinkable. Both work; standard mash bills can fall flat.
- Caramel and char on the finish. You want notes that survive the dilution. Vanilla and oak should be present after the first sip, not just on the nose.
If you've been making Old Fashioneds with whatever was on the shelf, you're missing about 40% of the drink. Below are 12 bottles that all clear the bar, ranked by how good the cocktail actually came out.
The 12 Best Bourbons for an Old Fashioned (Tested)
1. Buffalo Trace ($30) — The Default Done Right
If we could only stock one Old Fashioned bourbon at home, this would be it. 90 proof, balanced rye-vanilla-caramel, no rough edges. Plays beautifully with a sugar cube and Angostura. The Old Fashioned tastes like an Old Fashioned should taste. Available at Buffalo House when not allocated.
2. Old Forester 100 ($28) — The Bartender's Pick
Ask a Buffalo bartender what they pour for their own Old Fashioned at the end of the shift — half will say Old Forester 100. The extra proof gives backbone, the rye spice cuts the sugar perfectly. Best Old-Fashioned-per-dollar on this list.
3. Maker's Mark Cask Strength ($60) — The Wheated Upgrade
Wheated mash bill at 108–115 proof. Soft, rounded, with caramel that lingers. Makes an Old Fashioned that drinks like dessert without being sweet. The bottle is stunning on a back bar.
4. Knob Creek 9 Year ($35) — The Big-Flavor Pick
100 proof, aged a full 9 years, dense oak and char. Stands up to any garnish — orange peel, brandied cherry, a smoked twist. Forgiving if you overdo the bitters.
5. Eagle Rare 10 Year ($45) — The Steakhouse Pour
Smooth, lightly sweet, 90 proof. The Old Fashioned that gets ordered after a $90 ribeye. Not the most aggressive — but if you want something that disappears effortlessly, this is it.
6. Four Roses Single Barrel ($55) — The Connoisseur's Pick
100 proof OBSV recipe. High rye, fruity, complex. The Old Fashioned tastes layered — you get cherry, vanilla, baking spice in different sips. The most "interesting" cocktail on the list.
7. Bulleit Bourbon ($25) — The Reliable Workhorse
High-rye mash, 90 proof, $25. Punches above its weight. Slightly thinner mouthfeel than the bottles above, but the spice carries. A great everyday Old Fashioned bourbon for a home bar.
8. Wild Turkey 101 ($28) — The Bold Pick
101 proof, big oak, big char. Not for everyone — but if you like an Old Fashioned that punches you in the face (in a good way), this is your bottle. Pairs perfectly with smoked orange peel.
9. Woodford Reserve Double Oaked ($60) — The Indulgent Pick
Aged in two barrels for double the oak influence. Drinks rich, almost rum-like in the cocktail. Use a brown sugar cube instead of white. Decadent.
10. Russell's Reserve 10 Year ($40) — The Underrated Pick
Wild Turkey's higher-end line, 90 proof, beautifully balanced. Nobody talks about this bottle for cocktails because the marketing pushes it as a sipper — but it makes an excellent Old Fashioned.
11. Elijah Craig Small Batch ($30) — The Budget Powerhouse
94 proof, 8+ years aged, charred oak everywhere. The cocktail tastes more expensive than the bottle. Best $30 Old Fashioned bourbon you can buy.
12. Weller Special Reserve ($40 — when in stock) — The Wheated Cult Pick
The "baby Pappy." Wheated, soft, dangerously drinkable in a cocktail. Almost always allocated — join our waitlist for next-batch alerts.
How to Build a Proper Old Fashioned
This is the recipe we make at the bar:
- 2 oz bourbon (one of the 12 above)
- 1 sugar cube (or ¼ oz simple syrup)
- 2–3 dashes Angostura bitters
- 1 dash orange bitters (optional — recommended)
- Large ice cube
- Orange peel garnish (express the oils, then drop in)
Muddle the sugar with bitters and a teaspoon of water. Add bourbon, fill with ice, stir 30–40 times until properly chilled and slightly diluted. Strain over a single large cube. Garnish.
Want the full how-to? Read our complete Old Fashioned recipe guide →
Bourbons to AVOID for an Old Fashioned
To save you the experiment:
- Anything under 86 proof — gets lost in the sugar and ice. Drinks like watered-down syrup.
- Flavored or "honey" bourbons — adds sugar to a drink that already has sugar. Cloying.
- Single-barrel rare-bottle pours — a great $300 bottle should be sipped neat, not buried under bitters and orange peel.
Where to Buy in Buffalo, NY
All 12 bottles above (when not allocated) are stocked at Buffalo House Liquor & Wines, 1230 Colvin Blvd, Buffalo NY 14223. Same-day delivery free on orders over $49 across Buffalo, Amherst, Williamsville, Kenmore, Tonawanda, Hamburg, Orchard Park, Niagara Falls, and beyond. Shop the bourbon collection →
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best bourbon for an Old Fashioned?
For a balanced classic, Buffalo Trace ($30, 90 proof) is hard to beat. For more spice and backbone, Old Forester 100 ($28). For a wheated upgrade, Maker's Mark Cask Strength ($60).
What proof bourbon makes the best Old Fashioned?
95–110 proof is the sweet spot. Below 90, the bourbon gets diluted by sugar, ice, and stirring. Above 110, it overpowers the bitters and orange.
High-rye or wheated bourbon for an Old Fashioned?
Both work — they make different drinks. High-rye (Bulleit, Old Forester, Four Roses) gives spice that cuts the sugar. Wheated (Maker's, Weller) gives softness and caramel sweetness that makes the cocktail dangerously easy to drink.
How much does a good Old Fashioned bourbon cost?
You can make a great Old Fashioned for $25 (Bulleit, Old Forester 100). Most of our top picks land between $28–$45. Anything over $60 is more about the sipping experience than the cocktail.
Can I use rye whiskey instead of bourbon for an Old Fashioned?
Yes — and many bartenders prefer it. Rittenhouse Rye 100 and Sazerac Rye are excellent. The drink is technically a Rye Old Fashioned, but it's the same template with more spice.
