drink “A traditional Old Fashioned is made by muddling sugar with bitters, then adding alcohol, and a twist of citrus rind or other fruits,” says Crone. “Our ‘Oaked, Smoked and Spiced’ cocktail flight stays true to the essence of the original Old Fashioned, but showcases trending ingredients and culinary techniques to bring new energy to the American icon.”
The Oaked Sure to be a favorite of the “traditionalist,” the recipe focuses on spotlighting the private label bourbon, which is aged onsite right in the dining room in a Russell’s Reserve Barrel, by simply muddling together with whiskey aged bitters, a sugar cube, and then garnishing with an orange twist and brandied cherry.
THE OLD FASHIONED— BACK IN FASHION
The Smoked In an homage to the days when men would don smoking jackets and light up a cigar to pair with their Old Fashioned, this cocktail’s flavor is developed using Proof’s in-house smoker and homemade root beer bitters. The resulting rich flavors—and intoxicating aromatics—are meant to hit the sense of smell first, and then linger on the taste buds long after the drink is done.
BY ALISON BAILIN
B
ourbon is back. Or, more accurately, bourbon—always a staple drink of choice by the stereotypical “man’s man” in popular culture—is finally finding female fans. “Over the past decade, the number of women drinking bourbon whiskey has nearly tripled,” says Jon Crone, lead bartender at Proof Canteen at the Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North. “Thanks to shows like Man Men and unabashed fans of the spirit including Lady Gaga and Johnny Depp, they are very sexy menu options today.” So much so, in fact, that Crone and Proof Canteen (www.proofcanteen.com) partnered with master distiller James “Jimmy” Russell—a 50-plus year veteran of the industry—to develop private label bourbon from Russell’s Reserve, solely
The Spiced available at Proof. “When it comes to bourbon whiskey making in the United States, Jimmy is aristocracy,” Crone explains. “It’s a small community of men who have mastered bourbon, and within this brotherhood, Jimmy has gained a reputation as ‘the master distillers’ master distiller.’” What makes the private reserve label unique is not only the high proof of the spirit, but the fact that the bourbon bypasses the chill-filtration process. By avoiding the chillfiltration process, it’s bottled with more flavor compounds and a deeper color, which is denoted by an impressive haze when ice or chilled water is added. To showcase the limited edition private label, Crone and his team have developed their first-ever Old Fashioned cocktail flight, available now. UPTOWN |
70
| SEPTEMBER 2015
Perhaps the most perfectly paired cocktail of the flight for the season, Crone and Manager Brian Leeds developed this twist on the Old Fashioned thanks to the drinks’ newest fans—women. “How does the old saying go— ‘Woman are sugar and spice and everything nice?’ That’s this cocktail to a ‘T,’” says Crone, who muddles brûléed cinnamon sticks, along with aromatic fruits and a little pepper, to bring out the sugar and spice—not to mention heat—of the bourbon with every sip. Proof patrons can experience the flight for $18, or sample an individual, full-sized drink from the flight for $14. On Friday nights, enjoy the flight at a discounted price of $14. In addition, through October, the restaurant will feature complimentary Old Fashioned flight tastings once a week, showcasing unique techniques and educational elements.