075: Cocktail Hour - Old Fashioned

Ever wonder about the history of the Old Fashioned cocktail? In this new episode of Distilling the West, Dan and Dave introduce a fresh segment: Cocktail Hour. For its debut, they dive into one of the most iconic drinks in American cocktail history—the Old Fashioned.

They explore how this simple mix of spirit, sugar, bitters, and citrus became a timeless classic, and why it evolved into two beloved regional variations:

• ​the traditional rye Old Fashioned, dry, spicy, and spirit-forward
• ​the Brandy Old Fashioned, the sweet Midwestern staple with its own unique twist

From frontier-era origins to modern interpretations, Dan and Dave break down the history, the myths, and the flavors behind each version. If you enjoy a good drink—and a good story—this is the perfect pour.