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Old Grand-Dad 114 Old Fashioned | Velvety, Bold, Unforgettable

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Kick Back with the Post Parade Old Fashioned | Episode 62 Thirsty Thursday Cocktails

Last week’s Dublin Botanist was a crisp linen suit, but the Post Parade Old Fashioned is your favorite broken-in leather jacket. In this episode of Thirsty Thursday Cocktails, we’re leaving the botanical gardens of Ireland behind and heading home to the bold, barrel-charred heart of Kentucky.

If you love a high-proof bourbon with a velvety finish, this is the build for you. We’re using the iconic Old Grand-Dad 114 to provide a “cinnamon-red-hot” punch, balanced by the “silken secret” of gum syrup for a luxurious, viscous mouthfeel. With the earthy, aromatic spice of cardamom bitters and the bright pop of expressed orange oils, this cocktail is a masterclass in texture and high-rye spice.

Whether you’re a bourbon aficionado or just looking for a cozy, high-end drink to wake up your palate, the Post Parade is the ultimate “Kentucky Hug” in a glass.

Next Week: We’re celebrating the shift in seasons! Join us for Episode 63: The Vernal Equinox, where we’ll be leaning into bright, fresh, and balanced flavors for Spring.

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🥃 Ingredients & Recipe

The Components:

  • 2 oz Old Grand-Dad 114 Bourbon (High-Rye Backbone)
  • 1/4 oz Gum Syrup (The Silken Secret)
  • 2 dashes Fee Brothers Cardamom Bitters (The Warm Notes)
  • Garnish: Thick Orange Peel

Instructions:

  1. Combine: Add the bourbon, gum syrup, and cardamom bitters into a mixing glass filled with plenty of ice.
  2. Stir: Stir for 20-30 seconds. Because of the high proof and the gum syrup, a longer stir ensures a perfectly integrated, silky texture.
  3. Strain: Strain the mixture into a rocks glass over one large clear ice cube.
  4. Garnish: Express the orange peel over the glass to release those essential oils, then drop it in.

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NOTE: The spirits and items in this review were purchased by us. We were not compensated by the producers for this review. Please drink responsibly.

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Romantic Bourbon Cocktail Recipe | The Velvet Letter

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A Dark Romance in a Glass: The Velvet Letter Bourbon Cocktail 🥃💌

Welcome to Your Bourbon Journey! Tonight, we are kicking off our two-part Valentine’s series with a spirit-forward “Dark Romance” build that is as sophisticated as a hand-written love letter. If a Manhattan is a classic evening gown, The Velvet Letter is its mysterious, dark velvet cloak. 

This cocktail is a modern riff on a Black Manhattan, designed for those who prefer complexity over chocolate clichés. We use the “ink” of Merlet Crème de Cassis for a deep, moody hue and the “perfume” of Strongwater Lavender Bitters to mimic the scented stationery of the Victorian era. At the heart of it all is a bold declaration: Old Grand-Dad 114 Bourbon. The high-rye spice and 114 proof ensure the whiskey stands tall against the herbal weight of Cinzano Sweet Vermouth.

📜 A Sip of History: The Story Behind the Ingredients

While The Velvet Letter is a modern creation, every ingredient carries a legacy of romance and tradition:

  • The “Ink” (Cassis): A French café staple since the mid-1800s, this blackcurrant liqueur acts as the “ink” of our letter. Historically used in aperitifs to sharpen the mind and appetite, it brings a deep, moody hue to the glass.
  • The “Bond” (Old Grand-Dad 114): A nod to the legendary Basil Hayden, this high-rye bourbon represents the “bold declaration” of our letter. Its spicy punch is a tribute to pre-Prohibition Manhattans, which were far more robust than today’s versions.
  • The “Perfume” (Lavender): In the Victorian era, lovers separated by distance would scent their stationery with lavender. Using lavender bitters isn’t just a flavor choice—it’s a historical homage to those fragrant, handwritten tokens of affection.

Whether you’re celebrating Valentine’s Day or just love a silky, berry-forward bourbon drink, The Velvet Letter is a must-try.

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📜 The Recipe

  • 2 oz Old Grand-Dad 114 Bourbon
  • 0.5 oz Cinzano Sweet Vermouth
  • 0.5 oz Merlet Crème de Cassis
  • 3 Dashes Strongwater Lavender Bitters
  • 2 Dashes Fee Brothers Molasses Bitters
  • Garnish: Expressed Lemon Peel (discarded) & Luxardo Cherry

Method: Stir with plenty of ice for 25–30 seconds. Strain into a chilled coupe.

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NOTE: The spirits and items in this review were purchased by us. We were not compensated by the producers for this review. Please drink responsibly.

#BourbonCocktail #ValentinesDay #OldGrandDad114 #ManhattanRiff #Mixology #YourBourbon Journey #HomeBartender #WhiskeyGram #CraftCocktails #Cassis #LavenderBitters #BourbonLover #DrinkResponsibly #ThirstyThursday #CocktailRecipe