Albert W. A. Schmid - The Old Fashioned: An Essential Guide to the Original Whiskey Cocktail

The making of mixed drinks, especially among bourbon aficionados, is steeped in ritualistic purity and exacting particularity of preparation, and this is especially true of the Old Fashioned. This book is for those who love the drink and bourbon in all its many incarnations, including those who take pride in Kentucky and associations with its signal beverage.

Richard Taylor, former poet laureate of Kentucky

The Martini has several books recounting its history and extolling its virtues, so it is about time that the Old Fashioned, which also has a signature glass, had a book devoted to its history and recipes.

Susan Reigler, coauthor of

The Kentucky Bourbon Cocktail Book

Albert W. A. Schmid has done an excellent job researching this cocktail and produced a very enjoyable book. I look forward to adding it to my library.

Michael R. Veach, author of

Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey: An American Heritage

The Old Fashioned

An Essential Guide to the
Original Whiskey Cocktail

Albert W. A. Schmid

Foreword by John Peter Laloganes

Copyright 2013 by The University Press of Kentucky

Scholarly publisher for the Commonwealth, serving Bellarmine University, Berea College, Centre College of Kentucky, Eastern Kentucky University, The Filson Historical Society, Georgetown College, Kentucky Historical Society, Kentucky State University, Morehead State University, Murray State University, Northern Kentucky University, Transylvania University, University of Kentucky, University of Louisville, and Western Kentucky University.

All rights reserved.

Editorial and Sales Offices: The University Press of Kentucky

663 South Limestone Street, Lexington, Kentucky 40508-4008

www.kentuckypress.com

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Schmid, Albert W. A.

The old fashioned : an essential guide to the original whiskey cocktail /
Albert W. A. Schmid.

pages cm

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN 978-0-8131-4173-2 (hardcover : alk. paper) ISBN 978-0-8131-4174-9
(epub) (print) ISBN 978-0-8131-4175-6 (pdf) (print) 1. Cocktails.

2. Whiskey. I. Title.

TX951.S4157 2013

641.874dc23

2012042475

Manufactured in the United States of America.

To my wife, Kimberly Schmid.

We have an old-fashioned love.

Thank you for your love and support,
and for saving me.

In the current era, there is profound interest in and excitement about the cocktail. The bartender and mixologist are elevating alchemy to new levels of prestige by applying ingenuity and passion to their craft. Professionals and enthusiasts alike are invigorating the beverage industry with a renewed emphasis on the classics, representing a more simple time. The average American is consuming better-quality drinks nowadays, and in locations that are more accessible than ever before.

The Old Fashioned: An Essential Guide to the Original Whiskey Cocktail is a must-read book for all those who find pleasure as an epicurean. Albert W. A. Schmids concise yet seminal work unravels the complex tale of the evolution of one of Americas most significant drinksthe Old Fashioned. This book educates us in the nuances of drinking in style and fashiontied to history and a timeless sense of place.

Through anecdotal storytelling and insightful prose, the origins of the Old Fashioned Whiskey Cocktail are revealedweaving in the significant contributors who have added depth and complexity to this concoction over the years. Albert makes it a pleasure to revisit the past, and his pragmatic approach to the narrative yields an exciting, well-researched story that resonates emotionally with the reader. With intelligent humor and wit, his inquiry provides great insight and delivers high-quality entertainment.

The state of Kentucky is the birthplace of this celebrated and enduring cocktail. For me, three things come to mind when I think of Kentuckybourbon (the foundation of the Old Fashioned), the Old Fashioned Whiskey Cocktail (originating at Louisvilles Pendennis Club), and Albert Schmid (a true gentleman and a scholar). Albert is charismatic and charming, as well as modest and sincere. Upon meeting him for the first time, our conversation flowed freely, as if we were longtime friends from some previous era. In addition to being an accomplished sommelier and chef, Albert has become one of the most influential educators and speakers in the beverage industry and has won numerous awards and accolades for his work. But he is also a relentlessly curious intellectual who is equally comfortable discussing spirits and cocktails as he is beer and wine. Schmids passion for the Old Fashioned Whiskey Cocktail is apparent in these pages, as is his desire to communicate the alluring qualities of this classic drink.

As a sommelier, author, educator, and overall epicurean, I have come to appreciate times gone by and certain elements of the good life that I am blessed with. I must admit, during my review of the manuscript, I was enticed and inspired to retrieve the necessary ingredients from my spirits cabinet and replicate an Old Fashioned Whiskey Cocktail from one of the many recipes found within this book. Schmid teaches us how to suitably indulge with authenticity and sincerity. The Old Fashioned is triumphantall hail this book! You will be more than delighted.

John Peter Laloganes

The Wine and Beverage Academy of Chicago

2012 International Association of Culinary

Professionals Award of Excellence

Sommelier of the Year

In 2011 Warner Brothers released a romantic comedy called Crazy, Stupid, Love starring Steve Carell, Julianne Moore, Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone, Marisa Tomei, and Kevin Bacon, among others. The plot is bittersweet, with a strong message: dont ignore love. As the story unfolds, the audience is introduced to Ryan Goslings character, Jacob, who is a handsome paramour. Jacob is very successful in luring women home for, shall we say, romantic purposes. Part of Jacobs method, once he has a woman at his home, is to prepare her a cocktail as he listens to her talk about whatever is on her mind. We watch as Jacob makes the cocktail: he drops a sugar cube into a thick-bottomed glass, adds Angostura bitters, elegantly mixes the two together with a metal muddler, adds whiskey, and peels a large slice of orange zest, which he twists over the glass before placing it in the drink. The drink Jacob hands to his inamorata is clearly an Old Fashioned Whiskey Cocktail. Later, the use of bourbon is confirmed by the presence of a bottle of Pappy Van Winkle on the nightstand as the couple cuddles in bed. The cocktail acts as an allegory for the movies plot.

Of all the cocktails for Jacob to use in the art of seduction, the Old Fashioned is the most poetic drink he could choose. The bittersweet whiskey-flavored beverage is simple to make but requires practice to perfect. The process of muddling the fruit (as some recipes call for) can be very seductive, if done in the right way by the right person. The ingredients are basic ones that mix very well, the aroma is sweet, and the flavor draws the drinker in and leaves her wanting morenot to mention the effects of alcohol, which are known to help people shed their inhibitions. The Old Fashioned is the perfect drink of seduction.