Better Than An Old Fashioned? Try The Patriarch Gold Cocktail!

Welcome to Episode 75 of Thirsty Thursday Cocktails! In tonight’s episode of Your Bourbon Journey, Rebecca walks you through how to craft “The Patriarch Gold”—a sophisticated, spirit-forward Father’s Day classic built for true whiskey lovers.

If you love a classic Old Fashioned, a Toronto, or a Monte Carlo, this elegant and robust variant is the perfect upgrade. We are anchoring this heavy-hitting build with a massive 2 oz pour of Knob Creek Single Barrel 120 Proof bourbon. Known for its rich notes of dark chocolate, roasted nuts, and deep oak, this high-proof expression provides the perfect structural backbone.

To bring balance, texture, and a beautiful herbal complexity, we split the modifiers between the iconic Amaro Nonino and a touch of rich, velvety bourbon barrel-aged maple syrup. Tied together with savory molasses bitters and bright orange bitters, this cocktail delivers a long, warming finish with lingering notes of leather, toasted nuts, and soft baking spices. It’s strong, steady, and classic—perfect for celebrating Father’s Day.

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📜 THE RECIPE & INSTRUCTIONS

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz Knob Creek Single Barrel Bourbon (120 Proof)
  • 0.75 oz Amaro Nonino
  • 0.25 oz Bourbon Barrel Aged Maple Syrup
  • 2 dashes Molasses Cocktail Bitters
  • 1 dash Orange Bitters
  • Garnish: Expressed Orange Peel

Instructions:

  1. Combine the Knob Creek 120, Amaro Nonino, barrel-aged maple syrup, and both styles of bitters into a mixing glass.
  2. Fill the mixing glass with solid ice.
  3. Stir thoroughly for 30 to 45 seconds to achieve an ice-cold chill and proper dilution.
  4. Strain cleanly into a chilled rocks glass over a single large, clear ice core.
  5. Express a fresh orange peel over the top to release the bright citrus oils, drop it in as a garnish, and enjoy!

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🚨REMEMBER TO ALWAYS DRINK RESPONSIBLY🚨

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

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The Roman Holiday: A Dark & Herbaceous Rye Masterpiece

A Midnight Stroll in Italy: The Roman Holiday Cocktail (Ep. 59)

Transport your palate to a midnight stroll through an Italian piazza with The Roman Holiday. In this episode of Thirsty Thursday Cocktails, we are closing out February with “The Sophisticated Finish”—a dark, roasted, and herbaceous masterpiece.

This complex build features the incredible Hard Truth Chocolate Malt Rye, a whiskey distilled from chocolate malted barley that delivers deep cocoa notes without the sweetness. We pair this with the “Spirit of Italy,” Amaro Montenegro, and the powerhouse J. Rieger Caffè Amaro for a botanical, espresso-forward backbone. Topped with exotic cardamom bitters and a bright lemon expression, this is the ultimate nightcap for any whiskey lover.

Whether you’re a fan of the Black Manhattan or looking for a new way to use your Amaro collection, this cocktail is a showstopper.

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The Recipe: The Roman Holiday

Glassware: Nick & Nora or Coupe 

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz Hard Truth Chocolate Malt Rye
  • 0.5 oz J. Rieger Caffè Amaro
  • 0.5 oz Amaro Montenegro
  • 2 dashes Cardamom Bitters
  • Garnish: Large lemon twist

Instructions:

  1. Stir: Combine the rye, both Amaros, and bitters in a mixing glass with plenty of ice.
  2. Chill: Stir for 25 seconds until very cold and properly diluted.
  3. Strain: Strain into a chilled coupe or Nick & Nora glass.
  4. Garnish: Express a wide lemon twist over the surface to brighten the coffee notes, then trim and drop in.

🚨REMEMBER TO ALWAYS DRINK RESPONSIBLY🚨

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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