This week’s Old Fashioned comes from Leopold Bros Distillery. Beginning with ice in a standard rocks glass, Leopold uses their American Small Batch 2 Year Whiskey as the base. The whiskey, compared to their 4-Year Bourbon and 5-Year Bottled in Bond Bourbon, is the smoothest of the three spirits.
A creative twist in their sweetener, Leopold adds their own Maraschino Cherry Liqueur to sweeten and flavor the Old Fashioned. The iqueur brings a very subtle cherry flavor that goes well with the orange bitters.
Presentation is pretty standard as Old Fashioneds go. The caramel color comes from the whisky alone. The Maraschino Cherry Liqueur is clear, enhancing the flavor only. The finished cocktail is garnished with a cherry in the drink, sans the typical orange peel. Overall it is smooth with a mild bite, giving hints of cherry and orange. After comparing the Leopold Bros Distillery American Whiskey to their 4 Year Bourbon, the latter would likely provide a little more spice and depth to the drink. But either way, the whiskey is excellent, making a solid Old Fashioned.
The Leopold Bros Distillery Old Fashioned and other cocktails are available in their tasting room. Check their hours for availability.