If you had told me ten years ago that I would be writing a love letter to bourbon, I would have scoffed—and likely swirled my glass of scotch in emphatic protest. But that was before I met the Old Fashioned, the cocktail that changed my view of whiskey (or should I say: bourbon) forever.

My introduction came courtesy of former U.S. Ambassador to Switzerland, Edward T. McMullen, who handed me my first sip at a black-tie embassy event in Bern, introducing it as a winter drink revered in his home state of South Carolina.

Instant Revelation

It was an instant revelation: the Old Fashioned’s warm balance of bourbon, sugar, bitters, and a twist of citrus has a way of bridging the past with the present, elegance with simplicity.

The Old Fashioned, originating in the early 19th century, is a drink with history as rich as its taste. Known as one of the first true cocktails, it embraces a straightforward recipe that allows the whiskey to be the hero, with a gentle enhancement from orange and Angostura bitters.

Entry Point to Speciality Bourbons

These elements make it so compelling—the bitters add warmth, the orange brings brightness, and together they create a drink where the whiskey’s character shines. For me, the Old Fashioned became an entry point into the world of American specialty bourbons, revealing layers of flavor I had never thought to explore.

The cocktail truly shows its best colors when made with a quality bourbon, and Woodford Reserve is a perfect choice. With its rich, multifaceted profile—over 200 tasting notes of vanilla, caramel, oak, and spice—it lends itself effortlessly to the Old Fashioned. Woodford Reserve bourbon is aged in American oak barrels, giving it a deep complexity that the bitters and orange elevate rather than mask.

A Week of Celebration

On an annual basis, Woodford Reserve celebrates this timeless cocktail with its Old Fashioned Week—or, in some countries, a month-long tribute to the drink’s heritage. In Switzerland, over 100 bars across the country present their own interpretations, each featuring Woodford Reserve bourbon, bringing out the drink’s full potential in every sip.

The festivities began with an elegant kickoff at the Mandarin Oriental in Zurich, a fittingly grand start to a week honoring the cocktail that captures both the rustic roots and refined evolution of bourbon culture.

Cheers to the Old Fashioned

Even after the celebration week, many bars continue to serve the special cocktail creations in its honor. And for those who find themselves craving this timeless classic, every gifted bartender can prepare an Old Fashioned any time—an order often welcomed with a knowing, approving nod.

For me, the Old Fashioned is more than a drink—it’s a bridge to the rich, complex world of specialty bourbons I never knew I’d come to love. Cheers to the Old Fashioned: a drink for those who love bourbon, and for those—like me—who just hadn’t realized it yet.