Slow & Low 6 Year Old Old Fashioned Review

By Richard Thomas

Rating: B

One problem I’ve had with ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktails is when the drink is watered down. Some of these things seem to be made to compete with boozy seltzers rather than function as true cocktails. That is definitely not an issue with Hochstadter’s Slow & Low 6 Year Old Fashioned. Made with 6 year old rye whiskey (undisclosed source), Demerara sugar and aromatic and orange bitters, this stuff is bottled at 100 proof! When I’m making Old Fashioneds at home, I would only expect the resulting cocktail to come in at 50% ABV if I started with a cask strength whiskey, since my simple syrup would (of course) dilute the outcome.

As RTDs go, this is ballsy. That really comes across with the flavor. The choice of rye for this Old Fashioned, as opposed to the traditional bourbon, really comes across and cuts through the sweetening ingredients. There is a spicy bite that the added sugar and citrus bitters just cannot smother.

So, if a strong Old Fashioned with a spicy bite to it is what you want, this is the RTD to go with. Add ice, an orange peel and a cocktail cherry and you’re good to go.

The Price
Expect to pay $65 for a 750ml bottle.