Last night, Grain at the Four Seasons played host to Wild Turkey master distillers Jimmy and Eddie Russell’s small batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon. The father and son team have over eighty years combined distilling experience which is highlighted when tasting their small batch bourbon. Charming American southern hospitality was enjoyed by all with guests imbibing various versions of their small batch bourbon whiskey including Old Fashioned and Kentucky Iced Tea cocktails.
While bourbon is not the traditional choice for Old Fashioned’s—that being Rye whiskey—bourbon is a highly successful pairing and was responsible for my original interested in the cocktail. Russell’s is a spicy bourbon which is easy to drink neat (straight) or mixed in cocktails. One point of interest is that Australia is Russell’s largest market outside the USA which means we must drink a lot of bourbon in this country. Worth looking for next time you’re in a specialty bar or bottle shop.
Russell’s Old Fashioned cocktail ingredients
Russell’s Reserve small batch single barrel bourbon, Cynar (a bitter Italian liqueur made from herbs and plants, predominantly artichoke), Angostura bitters, maple syrup and orange zest. Serve in tumbler glass over the rocks.
