Old Fashioned Review #97, Thomas, Northern Quarter, Manchester.

Since representatives of the Society last visited this establishment wireless telegraphy, the motor car, coeducation, bridge whist and pianolas have all been invented and yet amongst all this modern social metamorphosis it is a great relief to report to the Gentlemen membership that, amongst all this modern social metamorphosis, some things remain reliably unchanged.

 The General still finds the cherry an unnecessary adornment and he still finds it to be too liberally iced, but at least the Old Fashioned at Thomas is dependably consistent in these things.

It is still a good solid drink that is still entitled to a very creditable score of  7.5 from 10.

Old fashioned Review #96, Luck Lust Liquor & Burn, NQ, Manchester

Gentlemen Members of the Society visited the celebrated Manchester Mexicali Restaurant Bar on Thursday last and report their fingerlicking tonguetingling Nachos Tacos and Burittos were nicely set up by a refreshingly iced Old Fashioned.

Although premixed, the drinks were surprisingly enjoyable and their pleasing presentation in dual medicinal  stoppered glass flasks certainly accelerated the rejuvenation of four impatient and thirsty gentlemen.

7.5/10 awarded

Old fashioned Review #95, Dusk Till Pawn, Manchester

The Pawn shop on Manchester’s Stephenson Square, received a second reconnaissance visit this weekend after the initial report by General Gaffey aroused the curiosity of Brigadier Gratton, Sir Jon Fender-Humphreys, Commander Compton and Colonel P. Trumpet Lilley.

Barman Mr John rolled up his sleeves and mixed for the Gentlemen an array of Old Fashioned cocktails to sample:

A smashing Marmalade and Ginger Old Fashioned employing Makers Mark Bourbon ; A bifter of a Black cherry old fashioned with chocolate bitters; A fine Fig infused old fashioned ; And a sterling Straight up Wild Turkey old Fashioned.

The concensus amongst the assembled sippers was though the variations were each delicious and enjoyable in their own way, the untampered old fashioned Old Fashioned was the superior drink.

Fashions come and go but it would appear you can’t really beat a classic.

Scores as follows:

M&GOF - 7.5/10

BCOF - 6.5/10 (too sweet)

FOF - 7/10

WTOF - 8/10

Old fashioned Review #94, Dusk Till Pawn, Manchester

Dusk Till Pawn, a former fortune teller’s den now converted to a speakeasy cocktail bar and concealed behind the facade of a Pawn shop is situated on Stephenson Square, in Manchester’s Northern Quarter. 

The General made a swift reconnaissance after business was concluded last Friday evening and found the lighting, ambience, vintage style and array of quality bourbons much to his taste. As were the ‘free-play musical jukebox’ which played many popular Old Fashioned tunes and the friendly Barmen.

Mr John mixed for the General this remarkable Marmalade and Ginger Old Fashioned using Makers Mark Bourbon, Fee Brother’s Whiskey Bitters and a dash of Orange Bitters, served with a single ice ball.

The General notes that whilst he applauds the innovation and experimentation of the beverage, he found the drink to be slightly heavy on the bitters and a little too sweet for his palate. But this can easily be remedied, and he intends to frequent this establishment again.  7.5 / 10 awarded.

A most splendid boxed gift of Van Winkle Family Reserve Rye [Bottle no. A0355] was gratefully received this month by the General for services to her ladyship, Natalie Duchess of Feltshire.

The bottle remains unopened, as it has done this past 13 years.

It currently lies in state at the club, where it can be inspected by all Old Fashioned society members by prior arrangement with a written letter to the senior curator.

According to the Old Rip Van Winkle company of Frankfort, Kentucky, the ‘Family Reserve Rye’ is certified as 95.6 Proof. Rated 95 by the Beverage Tasting Institute, they promise the maturity this untypical 13 year has achieved while ageing is quite obvious from the first sip with flavours including cocoa, vanilla, spice, and white pepper. 

And they claim a gentleman will never look at a younger version again. 

Thank goodness they don’t make ladies.  

The Old Fashioned Society does doth thy collective caps in appreciation of Mr Darren at The Ivy and his Old Fashioned Making skills.

Old fashioned Review #93, The Ivy, Covent Garden, London

Mr Darren, the barman at The Ivy having now earned his stripes with The General, proceeded to deliver a second delicious Old Fashioned.

As he went about his business he entertained and impressed with stories of creating Bacon infused Bourbon and mixing with maple syrup. 

His next cocktail was a more straightforward affair using ‘Makers Mark’ and mineral water. But substituting Peach Schnapps for sugar it was found to be a little too sweet and a little too fancy pants for this particular Gentleman.

Still, a very fine drink, very well made.  8/10 awarded.

Old fashioned Review #92, The Ivy, Covent Garden, London

General Gaffey received a kindly invitation from Lord Brocklehurst to join his party for diner at The Ivy recently. 

It was the General’s first visit to this noble establishment and he doth report he bloody loved it.

The atmosphere was delightful, the conversation congenial, the staff were courteous and the food superb. But to the business of the evening- the bar. 

Having discussed the matter of an Old Fashioned with the barman, The General sat back and waited patiently for Mr Darren’s interpretation of the classic cocktail ~ captured in this here electronic pictograph.

BANG! And what he drink he delivered. The General is rarely caught with his britches down, but he was unprepared for this marvellous feather-ruffling beverage!

The Sezerac is a New Orleans variation on an Old Fashioned cognac or Rye whiskey Cocktail. This version used Peychuad’s Bitters, sugar and Absinthe to coat the glass. 

Sezerac is also a brand of Rye Whiskey produced at the Buffalo Trace Distillery. At least that’s what the General remembers of the conversation. It’s all a bit muddled as the splendid evening was rather hazy after finishing the drink. And his scribbled bar notes simply read “more research required”.

A very strong but enjoyable drink. 9/10 scored.

Old fashioned Review #91, Australasia, Manchester

In urgent search of something dryer, The General discussed the matter with Mr Lloyd the informed Australasia barman and a recommendation to try Elijah Craig 12 year old was enthusiastically accepted.
Like Evan Williams, Elijah Craig is also produced by the Heaven Hill Distillery company of Bardstown, Kentucky and is a damn fine Bourbon. With a smokey, honey, spicey, roasted flavour its possibly one of the best a gentleman may the good fortune to stumble over.

The smack of Mr Lloyd’s Elijah Craig Old Fashioned was a home run. 9/10 bestowed.

Members of the society may be interested to learn that the Reverend Elijah Craig was a Baptist Preacher, born in Virginia 1738. Around 1789, the Reverend Craig founded a distillery in Kentucky and The Heaven Hill company rather dubiously credits him as the pioneer of barrel aging corn liquor in charred oak casks.