Ask 10 bartenders for the history of a cocktail and you’ll get 10 different stories, all with a generous measure of exaggeration and romanticism. One of the most iconic cocktails ever crafted, the Old Fashioned was first known in the early 1800s as the rather mundane-sounding Whiskey Cocktail but was reinvented in the 1870s as the Old Fashioned. Well, that’s our story, anyway.
Whatever the origin of this beloved beverage, the Old Fashioned is an undeniable centrepiece of any bartender’s repertoire and is celebrated annually around the world during Old Fashioned Week. This autumn in the UAE, Woodford Reserve, the world’s best-selling super-premium American whiskey, is celebrating the classic Old Fashioned with a string of events at some of Dubai’s best bars and restaurants.
Beginning on October 24 and concluding on November 6, Woodford Reserve Old Fashioned Week sees more than 20 chic cocktail lounges in Dubai pay homage to this simple yet timeless blend of bourbon, sugar and bitters. Woodford Reserve Old Fashioned Week invites both cocktail enthusiasts and occasional drinkers to indulge in the rich, complex flavours that make the Old Fashioned such a perennial favourite at any bar around the world.
Known for its smooth and robust profile, Woodford Reserve has more than 200 distinct flavour notes and is the bedrock of any Old Fashioned. Every bartender around the world has their own twist on this indelible drink, and this is an ode to an ageless classic. Its unique blend of dried fruit, vanilla, toasted oak, chocolate, caramel, and spice unite in a glorious concoction that brings an unmistakable taste and sophistication to the Old Fashioned experience.
Dubai’s most talented and innovative mixologists will lovingly stir their version of the Old Fashioned this year to demonstrate the versatility and craftsmanship of Woodford Reserve. Some of the premium Dubai venues participating in Woodford Reserve Old Fashioned Week this year include The Nice Guy inside Jumeirah Emirates Towers, The Spaniel on Bluewaters Island, Hendricks Bar within Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach, Sagetsu at One&Only One Za’abeel, Barfly by Buddha-Bar at Hilton Dubai Palm Jumeirah, Amelia at Sky View in Downtown Dubai, and Dream Dubai at Address Beach Resort on JBR.
Expertly crafted in Kentucky in the United States, Woodford Reserve brings its Old Fashioned charm to Dubai this autumn during a festival of mixology, taste and historic storytelling.
For more visit woodfordreserve.com