To make an old-fashioned cocktail, you only need three ingredients: bourbon, a sugar cube and Angostura bitters, though many add an orange peel for garnish.

The old-fashioned probably dates back to the 1800s, but its popularity exploded during Prohibition. One likely explanation is that the sugar masked the taste of poorly made, bootlegged alcohol. 

Old-fashioneds later made a comeback in the 2000s as part of a broader cocktail renaissance and the growing popularity of throwback speakeasies. But unlike in the 1920s, you now have a huge selection of great bourbons to choose from you make an old-fashioned. This list will help you sort through the options to help you pick the best bourbons for old-fashioneds.

How to choose the best bourbon for an old-fashioned

There are a number of twists on a classic old-fashioned, and there’s no single best bourbon for an old-fashioned. The right bourbon choice boils down to individual taste and how creative you want to get. That said, here are a few guidelines for choosing a bourbon that will make a killer base for an old-fashioned:

• Look for complexity. In bourbon speak, a complex bourbon is one with depth and a rich mix of flavors. A good bourbon for an old-fashioned will have a wide variety of flavors, such as sweet, spicy and earthy notes.

• Seek out a mid-range proof. A low proof can cause your bourbon to get overpowered by the cocktail’s sugar. That’s why the best bourbon for an old-fashioned will usually have a mid-range proof of around 90 to 100, which is 45% to 50% alcohol by volume (ABV).

• Think about the rye content. A high rye content typically means high spice. If you don’t want a spicy old-fashioned, look for a wheated bourbon, which will give you a sweeter, softer bourbon.

• Pricier isn’t always better. Think you need a top-shelf bourbon to make a solid old-fashioned? Think again. Some of the best bourbons for under $30 will make for a marvelous old-fashioned. Because pricier bourbons are usually best for sipping straight, we’ve only chosen bourbons for old-fashioneds that cost $80 or less, though most are under $40.

Now, let’s break down our picks for the best bourbons for an old-fashioned.

1. Best Overall Bourbon for an Old-Fashioned: Woodford Reserve Distiller's Select Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Typical price: $38

Proof: 90.4

Woodford Reserve Distiller’s Select has over 200 flavor notes, including citrus, cocoa, caramel and toffee, with bold hints of spice. We think the rich nose and taste is best consumed neat, but this bourbon is also a fabulous choice for an old-fashioned. Typically available for around $40, this one is affordable and checks all the boxes, including complexity and a moderate proof.

2. Best for a Budget Old-Fashioned: Four Roses Yellow Label Bourbon

Typical price: $22

Proof: 80

Four Roses Bourbon is the most affordable pick on our list of the best bourbons for old-fashioneds, priced at around $22. Tasting notes include vanilla, caramel and honey, with just a kick of spice. It’s surprisingly complex for a cheap bourbon due to the fact that it’s actually made from a blend of 10 bourbons. 

3. Best Top-Shelf Bourbon for an Old Fashioned: Widow Jane Straight Bourbon 10-Year

Typical price: $77

Proof: 91

If you get your hands on a truly top-shelf bourbon – think Blanton’s or George T. Stagg – you’re probably not going to want to use it for a cocktail. But if you want an elevated old-fashioned, Widow Jane Straight Bourbon 10-Year is a worthy splurge and a fairly reasonable one, typically in the $60 to $70 price range.

It has deep toffee and caramel flavors with notes of dark chocolate, cherry and black pepper, courtesy of the rye that blends well with the sugar in the old-fashioned. Oh, and don’t let anyone tell you that bourbon has to be made in Kentucky: This one’s made by hand in Brooklyn and non-chill filtered and proofed using mineral water from the Rosendale Mines of New York.

4. Best for an Old-Fashioned on the Rocks: Wild Turkey 101 Proof Straight Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey

Typical price: $26

Proof: 101

Wild Turkey 101 is Raoul Duke’s drink of choice in “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.” And it’s our bourbon of choice for an old-fashioned on the rocks, thanks to its high proof and high-rye mashbill that hold their own even as the ice in the beverage melts.

It’s aged for six to eight years and opens with rich spice and bold vanilla flavors, followed by caramel and toffee that are balanced by notes of black pepper, leather and oak. Mix it up using your favorite old-fashioned recipe, then add a sphere ice cube.

5. Best High-Proof Bourbon for an Old Fashioned: Old Grand Dad 114

Typical price: $32

Proof: 114

Old Grand Dad was sold as medicine for $3 a pint during Prohibition. We doubt your doctor would approve of such therapies today, but there’s no denying that Old Grand Dad 114 adds a powerful punch to an old-fashioned.

The high rye content gives it a strong kick of spice, with flavor notes of caramel, cinnamon, brown sugar and peanuts. Despite the 114 proof, it’s surprisingly smooth, making it a good choice for an old-fashioned or sipping neat.

Rumors have circulated for years that Beam Suntory is discontinuing Old Grand Dad 114. We don’t know if there’s any truth to these rumors. But if you like a strong old-fashioned, consider stocking up, since a bottle will only set you back $30 or so.

6. Best Bourbon for a Smoked Old-Fashioned: Knob Creek No. 9

Typical price: $35

Knob Creek bourbon was Hank Schrader’s go-to drink on “Breaking Bad.” Though he drank it neat, we think Knob Creek – specifically, Knob Creek No. 9, is great in a smoked old-fashioned.

The flavors of caramel, cherry and brown sugar with strong notes of oak hold up well against the smoky aroma and taste. Plus, the relatively high 100 proof keeps the bourbon from getting overpowered by the smoke, sugar and bitters. Try it in this smoked old-fashioned recipe. You’ll need a cocktail smoker or smoking gun.

7. Best for a Spiced Old-Fashioned: Bulleit Straight Bourbon Frontier Whiskey

Typical price: $31

Proof: 90

The label on Bulleit Bourbon is intentionally crooked. You see, back in the days when production began labels were placed at an angle because it allowed for larger fonts that you could spot from across the bar. So if you’re craving a cocktail with a kick, scour the bar or the shelves of your local liquor store for the angled label, because we think Bulleit Bourbon makes for a delicious spiced old-fashioned.

Aged for a minimum of six years, Bulleit uses a high-rye mash bill that’s inspired by a 150-year-old family recipe and makes for a spicy old-fashioned base. Along with the spicy rye, you’ll find caramel and toasted oak with notes of cinnamon, nutmeg and orange zest on the palate. If you really want to take things up a notch, try using demerara sugar and spiced simple syrup.

8. Best for a Dessert Old Fashioned: Maker’s Mark Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky

Typical price: $31

ABV: 45%

Maker’s Mark has been produced its own yeast strain for more than 60 years – as long as the distillery has been in existence. Founder Bill Samuels Sr.’s family had been in the bourbon business for generations, but he wanted to make a different kind of bourbon, so he torched the family recipe and created the signature red wheat rye recipe.

The red wheat rye gives it extra sweetness, with tastes of vanilla, oak and caramel and a rich, creamy finish. It’s the perfect pick if you’re in the mood for a dessert cocktail. Try it in this chocolate old-fashioned recipe for a decadent after-dinner drink.

What else do you need to make a great old-fashioned?

Bourbon isn’t the only thing you need to make the perfect old-fashioned. Once you’ve chosen the best bourbon for an old-fashioned, here are a few things you need to up your game:

• Lowball glasses: These gold-rimmed whiskey tumblers allow you to sip your cocktail in style, whether you prefer it neat or with an ice cube or sphere.

• Smoker set: If you’ve mastered the traditional old-fashioned, why not add heat to the mix? This luxury whiskey smoker set will let you wow your guests with a smoked old-fashioned next time you entertain.

• Coasters: Fancy coasters are a must for your next get-together. If you’re mixing up old-fashioneds, these “Call Me Old-Fashioned” leather coasters make for a stylish accessory.

• Old-fashioned cocktail kit. Make things simple with this old-fashioned cocktail kit that includes cherries, oranges, and bitters infused with non-GMO vegan cane sugar. Just add your bourbon and enjoy!