World of old fashioned

[pjacobi]

"The original old fashioned recipe would have showcased the whiskey available in America in the 19th century: Irish, Bourbon or rye whiskey.[15] But in some regions, especially Wisconsin, brandy is substituted for whiskey (sometimes called a brandy old fashioned).[16][17][18] Eventually the use of other spirits became common, such as a gin recipe becoming popularized in the late 1940s.[15]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_fashioned_(cocktail)#Modifications


-Paul

 

[Snowwhyt]

Right—this pp says it perfectly.

OP if you only like the brandy version, and don’t like bourbon/whiskey, order a brandy old fashioned a la carte at a bar. Seems like a real waste of $100 to do a drink tasting where most if not all of the drinks will be the kind you don’t like. They make the tastings for a big group—they don’t custom make each person’s drinks.

My dad for example hates sugar and only drinks “margaritas” that have two ingredients: tequila and fresh squeezed lime juice. I would not recommend he go to a margarita tasting.

Lol I’m not OP. OP did say in his original post there was an Old Fashion tasting. A variety of Old Fashions will be tasted. Seems later in the thread it can be a different tasting from host to host. For example OP’s experience was

These are the 4 types of base used to create the old fashions. A rare perfection 15 year Canadian stye whiskey made in Kentucky. A Zignum mezcal espadin tequila. A Ron Zacapa Sistema Solera 23 rum and finally a woodford reserve master collection chocolate malted rye bourbon.

So while none of those are Brandy, it seems it could be interesting to try even though one is whiskey (which I would try but maybe not finish or give to a family member after trying) although I did notice later in the thread this comment

I had a totally different experience than the other poster (they say it does vary from cruise to cruise)

So I guess I’ll just go to guest services and see where/who is having it and ask for details. Of course should it be put in the DCL description that it’s only going to be whiskey I probably will skip then. I don’t think I can sign up before December anyway so things can definitely change.

Paul, I feel so special that Wisconsin got that notation in Wikipedia. So if they do one in Brandy another in Gin, and two and whiskey…. Maybe not sure yet. If it is the only tasting left when I sign up probably. If I can get mixology tequila and rum tastings probably not.

MomOTwins I will definitely take your advice to skip if it’s all whiskey. I wonder if that’s why I haven’t always enjoyed my old fashions on the ship when I order them. I ask for a Korbel Old fashion sweet, but maybe there actually giving me whiskey by mistake. I have to remember to order more drinks from my Mixology tasting while I’m on the ship.

 

[Doberge]

I wonder if that’s why I haven’t always enjoyed my old fashions on the ship when I order them. I ask for a Korbel Old fashion sweet, but maybe there actually giving me whiskey by mistake.

It's likely that they're not making it how you like it. It's a very specific cocktail that the bartender likely doesn't know and hears a liquor but makes it like a traditional old fashion with bitters and without as much fruit and soda as you like. Barterender hears "sweet" and probably only adds a little more simple syrup, but it's not the same thing.

I'd suggest straight asking if he/she makes a Wisconsin old fashion. If yes, then share how you like it. If not, then offer to walk them through how to make it and that'll be it's own entertainment. My FIL used to do this with a rusty nail cocktail. Many would say they know but then they'd mess it up and he'd offer to tell them how he liked it.

 

[Snowwhyt]

It's likely that they're not making it how you like it. It's a very specific cocktail that the bartender likely doesn't know and hears a liquor but makes it like a traditional old fashion with bitters and without as much fruit and soda as you like. Barterender hears "sweet" and probably only adds a little more simple syrup, but it's not the same thing.

I'd suggest straight asking if he/she makes a Wisconsin old fashion. If yes, then share how you like it. If not, then offer to walk them through how to make it and that'll be it's own entertainment. My FIL used to do this with a rusty nail cocktail. Many would say they know but then they'd mess it up and he'd offer to tell them how he liked it.

You make an excellent point! I usually ordered them at dinner so I’m sure that’s where I lose them. By the time I get it it’s more like the old Telephone Party game where several people have adapted what I requested to what they thought I meant. I’ll bet I can improve my order if I walked up-to a bar. Think the best one I’ve had on the ship came from Cove Café.
I enjoy it muddled with an orange slice with the rind that has rimed the inside top of the glass, maraschino cherry, sugar cube and Angostura bitters. The grenadine I don’t remember using as a kid, maybe that’s why I like some of them out more when I’m out or at supper clubs.

 

[MrsScooby]

You make an excellent point! I usually ordered them at dinner so I’m sure that’s where I lose them. By the time I get it it’s more like the old Telephone Party game where several people have adapted what I requested to what they thought I meant. I’ll bet I can improve my order if I walked up-to a bar. Think the best one I’ve had on the ship came from Cove Café.
I enjoy it muddled with an orange slice with the rind that has rimed the inside top of the glass, maraschino cherry, sugar cube and Angostura bitters. The grenadine I don’t remember using as a kid, maybe that’s why I like some of them out more when I’m out or at supper clubs.

My experience with various tastings on DCL is that there is no way to know (for sure) in advance how it will be handled. And some of these tastings can be added last minute when you talk to the host assuming they have room and some sell out way in advance. But you can try different versions of Old Fashions on your own depending on the bar tender. The tastings are a bit of a risk. I signed up for a whiskey tasting as a learning experience but I was glad my husband showed up and finished off my drinks

 

[grantclaire]

Hi was on the Wonder last month and the bartender at the Crown and Fin made a great Old Fashioned! During happy hour as well!

 

[elsawasajedi]

My experience with various tastings on DCL is that there is no way to know (for sure) in advance how it will be handled. And some of these tastings can be added last minute when you talk to the host assuming they have room and some sell out way in advance. But you can try different versions of Old Fashions on your own depending on the bar tender. The tastings are a bit of a risk. I signed up for a whiskey tasting as a learning experience but I was glad my husband showed up and finished off my drinks

pretty much but honestly this person is basically not capable of accepting advice.

like they think a drink list will be posted in description - no. and their worst case scenario is my experience which is all whiskey and they describe their best case scenario as giving the remnants of the rum and tequila old fashioned if that's the variants they get away to family and friends.

not worth 100 bucks a person. like this person wants a slightly alcoholic Shirley temple to be featured on a 100 dollar a person tasting and though they are playing nice on these boards I guarantee the will be that person that's in that 1.5 hr line (with reservations btw) to talk to guest services about their experience and why it should be refunded.

it's why I was like yep you are gonna do what you want to do anyway logic does not work on you. good luck, have fun, glad your time and money is not valuable to you.

 

[elsawasajedi]

My experience with various tastings on DCL is that there is no way to know (for sure) in advance how it will be handled. And some of these tastings can be added last minute when you talk to the host assuming they have room and some sell out way in advance. But you can try different versions of Old Fashions on your own depending on the bar tender. The tastings are a bit of a risk. I signed up for a whiskey tasting as a learning experience but I was glad my husband showed up and finished off my drinks

pretty much but honestly this person is basically not capable of accepting advice.

like they think a drink list will be posted in description - no. and their worst case scenario is my experience which is all whiskey and they describe their best case scenario as giving the remnants of the rum and tequila old fashioned if that's the variants they get away to family and friends.

not worth 100 bucks a person. like this person wants a slightly alcoholic Shirley temple to be featured on a 100 dollar a person tasting and though they are playing nice on these boards I guarantee the will be that person that's in that 1.5 hr line (with reservations btw) to talk to guest services about their experience and why it should be refunded.

it's why I was like yep you are gonna do what you want to do anyway logic does not work on you. good luck, have fun, glad your time and money is not valuable to you.

 

[elsawasajedi]

smh.

 

[insureman]

I wrote about the best Old Fashioned I've had at any Disney Cruise/WDW bar.
https://www.disboards.com/threads/best-old-fashioned-on-the-disney-fantasy-skyline-lounge.3874966/

 

[leannak]

Thinking of booking this for a friend who LOVES old fashioned. He usually orders with Splenda though. He can handle some sugar, but I'm curious if it would be possible to have any of these made with Splenda or other artificial sweetener for the tasting if we somehow request ahead. I know some of the drinks couldn’t - especially if they’re sweetened with something special like honey or cherry purée. Otherwise, does anyone know how high the sugar content really ends up being? Is it minimal or is this an event that diabetics should avoid at all cost?