National Bourbon Day 2026: How to Make the Perfect Old Fashioned (and the 8 Best Bourbons for It)
National Bourbon Day lands on Sunday, June 14, 2026 — the day we raise a glass to America's native spirit, officially recognized by Congress in 1964. There's no more fitting way to celebrate than with the cocktail that put bourbon on the map: the Old Fashioned. It's the oldest cocktail in the book, the drink that defines what a cocktail is, and — lucky for us — one of the easiest great drinks you can make at home.
This guide covers exactly how to build a perfect Old Fashioned, the most common mistakes to avoid, a few worthy variations, and the eight bottles we'd reach for on June 14. If you'd rather start from a list of celebration-worthy pours, our National Bourbon Day bottle guide has you covered too.
The 8 best bourbons for an Old Fashioned
What makes an Old Fashioned
The Old Fashioned is bourbon, sugar, bitters and a twist — nothing more. Because there's nowhere to hide, every part matters, and the whiskey is the star. The classic build is 2 oz bourbon, one sugar cube (or a barspoon of simple syrup), 2–3 dashes of Angostura bitters, and a large ice cube, stirred — never shaken — until properly chilled and just diluted, then finished with an expressed orange peel. A brandied cherry is optional but classic; we love a quality bottle like Luxardo-style maraschino cherries for the real thing.
The single biggest upgrade most people can make is the ice: one big cube melts slower than a handful of small ones, so the drink stays cold without watering down. The second is the orange peel — express the oils over the glass and rub it on the rim before dropping it in. That aromatic hit is half the drink.
The best bourbon for an Old Fashioned
You want a bourbon with enough backbone to stand up to sugar and bitters. High-rye bourbons bring a peppery spine that keeps the drink from going flat-sweet, which is why bartenders reach for Bulleit Bourbon ($37.09) — its big rye content makes a textbook, spicy Old Fashioned at a friendly price. Four Roses Small Batch ($37.99) and 1792 Small Batch ($34.09) are two more high-rye picks that punch well above their cost in a cocktail.
If you prefer a rounder, classic profile, Buffalo Trace ($78.99) is a bartender favorite for its balance, and Knob Creek 9 Year ($49.99) brings extra age, oak and caramel that shine through dilution. Woodford Reserve ($44.99) is the smooth, dependable middle-of-the-road choice that pleases everyone at the table. Browse the full lineup in our Bourbon collection.
Two upgrades worth trying
Once you've nailed the classic, two bottles take the Old Fashioned somewhere special. Elijah Craig Small Batch ($40.99) leans into rich vanilla and toasted oak for a deeper, dessert-leaning version. And Angel's Envy ($54.99) — finished in port wine barrels — adds a dark-fruit sweetness that means you can dial back the sugar entirely for a more sophisticated pour. Both are gorgeous in the glass on a special occasion.
Variations on a classic
National Bourbon Day is a great excuse to branch out. Swap the sugar for maple syrup for a richer Maple Old Fashioned; sub in demerara syrup for a rummy depth; or add a bar-spoon of sweet vermouth like Carpano Antica Formula ($42.99) and you've drifted into Manhattan territory — bourbon, sweet vermouth and bitters, stirred and served up. If you want to go bigger and bolder, a barrel-proof bourbon makes a famously intense Old Fashioned (just add a touch more water). Curious how rye would change things? Our bourbon vs. rye guide breaks down exactly what each brings to the glass.
Beyond the Old Fashioned
If June 14 has you in a mixing mood, the Old Fashioned is just the start. The Mint Julep is bourbon's other great classic, and for hot weather we've been pouring lighter, refreshing builds all season — see our companion summer bourbon cocktails guide, the two-ingredient whiskey highball, and even tequila Ranch Water for the non-whiskey drinkers at the party.
Celebrate National Bourbon Day
You don't need a back bar — one good bottle, some bitters and an orange will do. Start with a high-rye workhorse like Bulleit or a balanced classic like Buffalo Trace, add a special-occasion pour like Angel's Envy, and you're set for June 14. Explore everything in our Bourbon collection, find more whiskey in our Whiskey collection, and see what fellow shoppers love in Best Sellers. Happy National Bourbon Day — here's to America's spirit.
