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Woodford Reserve Whiskey bottle with oranges and cocktail
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60+ Best Places to Celebrate Old Fashioned Week

Jacob Osborn, | Sponsored

As its very name would suggest, the Old Fashioned is a true whiskey classic that’s never gone out of style. In a recent poll across the world’s top 50 bars, it once again ranked the as the number one cocktail. That’s quite an impressive feat, given its history of about 140 years. When executed properly, it represents the perfect spirit-forward libation, injecting whiskey’s natural character with a sweet and tangy edge. This is a creation worth celebrating and an iconic distillery is doing just that…for 10 straight days, in fact. Welcome to Woodford Reserve Old Fashioned Week (30 October – 8 November 2020), which is coming to a swath of locations throughout Australia.

The History of Old Fashioned Week

Reportedly invented by a Kentucky bartender in 1880, the Old Fashioned was then popularised by bourbon legend James E. Pepper. Over the years, it’s been subject to various interpretations as it retains the core tenets of a spirit-forward cocktail. Even the slightest variation can yield discernible changes to the overall profile. Of course, what ultimately matters most is the type of whiskey you use as a base.

Shining a spotlight on this beloved beverage, Old Fashioned Week (OFW) kicked off in 2015 in Paris, France. Before long, it had become a global sensation and one that continued to expand. Each event sees bartenders from around the world interpreting the cocktail by way of different whiskeys, techniques, and recipes. Again, even subtle variances can manifest notable differences in terms of flavour, colour, texture, and overall character.

Woodford Reserve Old Fashioned Week

The legend continues with Woodford Reserve Old Fashioned Week, which invites bartenders to put their own twist on the classic cocktail. We can think of few better distilleries to host the event. Not only did Woodford Reserve help pioneer the art of modern bourbon, but they were amongst the first American brands to experiment with additional cask maturation. The current whiskey craze might have very well started with this ultra-premium label and their adventurous program.

Woodford Reserve Old Fashioned Week will run from 30 October to 8 November 2020 and take place all over the world. Naturally, that includes Australia. The distillery will partner with some of our nation’s finest bars and premium retailers to increase brand awareness while engaging with local bartenders. Drinkers will soon discover that Woodford Reserve bourbon makes for an ideal base, no matter what the permutation.

How to Make the Perfect Woodford Reserve Old Fashioned

If you’re making an Old Fashioned at home, allow us to suggest using Woodford Reserve Distiller Select as your base. Expertly crafted, it brings forth creamy texture and over 200 individual flavour notes and that’s when you sip it neat. When used for an Old Fashioned, that flavour dial cranks up even higher. To execute, you’ll need the following (as per Woodford Reserve):

  • An Old Fashioned cocktail glass
  • 60ml Woodford Reserve straight bourbon whiskey
  • 15ml demerara syrup
  • 3 dashes of Angostura bitters
  • 2 dashes Regans’ Orange Bitters
  • 1 sugar cube

Next, perform these steps:

  1. Add ingredients to the mixing glass;
  2. Add ice to mixing glass and serving glass;
  3. Stir ingredients for 30-40 secs;
  4. Strain into serving glass;
  5. Garnish with a lightly expressed orange peel.

Sip and enjoy as you partake in a timeless tradition, like so many whiskey lovers before you.

Where to Celebrate Woodford Reserve Old Fashioned Week in Australia

It goes without saying that Australia’s hospitality industry has suffered due to the pandemic. Woodford Reserve Old Fashioned Week gives you the perfect opportunity to go out and support your favourite local bars and restaurants. All the while, you’re socialising with your closest mates while sipping on one of history’s tastiest creations: the mighty Old Fashioned.

Here’s a complete list of Australia’s participating partners:

New South Wales

    1. Double Deuce Lounge, 6 Bridge St, Sydney NSW 2000
    2. Maybe Sammy, 115 Harrington St, The Rocks NSW 2000
    3. Maybe Frank CBD, 417-421 Bourke St, Surry Hills NSW 2010
    4. Maybe Frank Randwick, 69 Perouse Rd, Randwick NSW 2031
    5. Dead Ringer, 413 Bourke St, Surry Hills NSW 2010
    6. Wild Rover, 75 Campbell St, Surry Hills NSW 2010
    7. Toppi, 60 Martin Pl, Sydney NSW 2000
    8. Bar M, 10 Neild Ave, Rushcutters Bay NSW 2011
    9. Bulletin Place, Level 1/10-14 Bulletin Pl, Sydney NSW 2000
    10. Door Knock, Basement/70 Pitt St, Sydney NSW 2000
    11. Employees Only, 9a Barrack St, Sydney NSW 2000
    12. The Duke of Clarence, Laneway, 152, 156 Clarence St, Sydney NSW 2000
    13. Jangling Jack’s, 175 Victoria St, Potts Point NSW 2011
    14. Chin Chin, 69 Commonwealth St, Surry Hills NSW 2010
    15. Marble Bar, Level B1/488 George St, Sydney NSW 2000
    16. Stitch Bar, 61 York St, Sydney NSW 2000
    17. The Doss House, 77/79 George St, The Rocks NSW 2000
    18. NOLA Smokehouse & Bar, Level 1, One International Towers Sydney 100 Barangaroo Ave Cnr Barangaroo Ave &, Shipwright Walk, Barangaroo NSW 2000
    19. Webster’s, 323 King St, Newtown NSW 2042
    20. Fortunate Son, 105 Enmore Rd, Newtown NSW 2042
    21. Saké Restaurant, 12 Argyle St, The Rocks NSW 2000
    22. Momento Hospitality, 13-15 Lexington Dr, Bella Vista NSW 2153
    23. Assembly Bar, 488 Kent St NSW 2000

Queensland

    1. The Boom Boom Room, 9 Elizabeth St, Brisbane City QLD 4000
    2. Blackbird, Riverside Centre, 123 Eagle St, Brisbane City QLD 4000
    3. Byblos, 39 Hercules St, Hamilton QLD 4007
    4. Osbourne, 766 Ann St, Fortitude Valley QLD 4006
    5. Mr Mista, 757 Ann St, Fortitude Valley QLD 4006
    6. Hello Gorgeous, 32A Chester St, Newstead QLD 4006
    7. Greaser Bar, 259 Brunswick St, Fortitude Valley QLD 4006
    8. Lefty’s Old Time Music Hall, 5 Caxton St, Petrie Terrace QLD 4000
    9. Hellbound, 697 Brunswick St, New Farm QLD 4005
    10. Death & Taxes, 36 Burnett Ln, Brisbane City QLD 4000
    11. Cobbler, 7 Browning St, West End QLD 4101
    12. Saville Row, 667 Ann St, Fortitude Valley QLD 4006
    13. Brooklyn Standard, Eagle Ln, Brisbane City QLD 4000
    14. Suzie Wongs Good Time Bar, 678 Ann St, Brisbane City QLD 4003
    15. Finney Isles, 702 Ann St, Fortitude Valley QLD 4006
    16. Cloudland, 641 Ann St, Fortitude Valley QLD 4006
    17. Press Club, 641 Ann St, Fortitude Valley QLD 4006
    18. Gresham, 308 Queen St, Brisbane City, QLD 4000
    19. Empire, 641 Ann St, Fortitude Valley QLD 4006

Victoria

    1. Chin Chin, 125 Flinders Ln, Melbourne VIC 3000
    2. The George On Collins, 162-168 Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000
    3. The Emerson, 141-145 Commercial Rd, South Yarra VIC 3141
    4. The Woods, 08 Chapel Street, Windsor Victoria 3181
    5. The 18th Amendment Bar, Geelong, 82A Little Malop Street, Geelong, Victoria 3220
    6. The 18th Amendment Bar, Ballarat, 14 Camp Street, Ballarat Central 3350
    7. Manhattan Bar, Geelong, 9 James Street, Geelong, Victoria, 3220
    8. Hawker Hall, 98 Chapel St, Windsor VIC 3181
    9. Baby, 631-633 Church St, Richmond VIC 3121
    10. The Carlton Club, 193 Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000
    11. Fitzroy Beer Garden, 243/245 Gertrude St, Fitzroy VIC 3065
    12. Common Man, 39 Dukes Walk, South Wharf VIC 3006
    13. Bar Ampere, 16 Russell Pl, Melbourne VIC 3000
    14. Bar Margaux, Basement/111 Lonsdale St, Melbourne VIC 3000
    15. The Everleigh, Level 1/150-156 Gertrude St, Fitzroy VIC 3065
    16. Heartbreaker, 234A Russell St, Melbourne VIC 3000
    17. Freddie Wimpoles, 125 Fitzroy Street St Kilda 3182
    18. Garf’s Bar, 261 Hampton Street Hampton VIC 3188
    19. Bounty of the Sun, 28 Nelson Street Balaclava 3183
    20. Sixty Smith, 60 Smith St, Collingwood VIC 3066
    21. TGI Fridays, Multiple Locations (NSW, VIC, WA, SA)
    22. Hotel Esplanade – The Espy, 11 The Esplanade,St Kilda, VIC, 3182
    23. Garden State Hotel, 101 Flinders Ln, Melbourne VIC 3000
    24. Hawker Bar, 288-290 Highett Road, Highett VIC 3190
    25. On Top Ormond, 483 North Road Ormond VIC 3204
    26. Sonder Bar, 438 Centre Road Bentleigh VIC 3204

Western Australia

    1. Varnish on King, 75 King Street, Perth, W.A 6000
    2. Principal Bar, 23 Cale Street, Midland, W.A, 6056
    3. National Hotel, 98 High Street FREMANTLE
    4. The Pen, 1 Marco Polo Drive MANDURAH
    5. Duke of George, 135 George Street EAST FREMANTLE
    6. Hugos Nightclub, 14-16 South Terrace FREMANTLE
    7. The Heritage Wine Bar, 131 St Geroges Terrace, Perth
    8. QT Rooftop, 131 Murray Street, Perth
    9. Crown Casino Perth – Waiting Room, Great Eastern Hwy, Burswood WA 6100
    10. Lucky Chans Laundry Bar, 311 William St, Northbridge WA 6003
    11. TWR, Crown Perth, Great Eastern Highway, Burswood

Check it out

Bourbon, Cocktails, Woodford Reserve
STAFF WRITER

Jacob Osborn

Jacob Osborn is an accomplished author and journalist with over 10 years of experience in the media industry. He holds a Bachelor's degree in English and Communication Arts from the University of Wisconsin--Madison and co-authored a Young Adult novel through Simon & Schuster. Now based in Portland, Oregon, Jacob specialises in entertainment, technology and alcohol reporting. You might find him crate-digging at the nearest record store or sampling whisky at the nearest bar. He daydreams of travelling around the world, but for now, the world will have to come to him by way of lifestyle products, gear, gadgetry, and entertainment. Let's call it a happy compromise while he saves up for the next big trip.

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