For some connoisseurs, the price of a fine bottle of wine or an imported beer is well worth any price. Now, these cognoscenti’s are faced with a new type of alcoholic drink to savor, ready-to-drink cocktails.
At the top of the ready-to-drink cocktail list has to be Chicago’s own Gold Fashioned; a 750-milliliter bottle sells for $150. It’s a new take on a classic Old Fashioned. Other high-end 750-milliliter bottles of Old-Fashioneds go for between $35 and $45. That makes the Gold Fashioned more than three times the cost of other brands.
Apologue, Socially Aware Maker of Fine Liqueurs
The story of Gold Fashioned includes premium ingredients and opulent packaging that the bottler Robert Haynes hopes justifies the lofty price.
Robert Haynes worked his way up at Chicago‘s acclaimed cocktail bar The Violet Hour. Eventually, he used his expertise to launch Apologue, a Certified B corporation that crafts high-end liqueurs. However, the liqueurs are actually distilled at Thornton Distilling in Thornton.
Apologue has committed to using only natural and preferably locally sourced ingredients, as well as giving back to the community. Whenever possible, the company sources its non-GMO ingredients from local growers like Coldbrook Farm and Growing Solutions Farm. Community-based organizations supported by Apologue include Advocates for Urban Agriculture, Pilot Light, and Women in Hospitality United.
What Makes Gold Fashioned So Special?
The appeal of Gold Fashioned lies in its rare, natural ingredients; some ingredients are so rare, the current supply chain issues could limit Gold Fashioned’s run.
This exceptional cocktail begins with the perfect, 7-year-old bourbon, sourced from a distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky. This exceptional bourbon is sophisticated, warm, and mellow. Next, the Kentucky bourbon is blended with a five-year-old rye whiskey distilled in Lawrenceburg, Indiana. This unique blend creates a warm, rich, complex flavor with a subtle hint of warm baking spice.
Next, special bitters, crafted by Haynes, are added. The bitters are crafted with a global lineup of fine ingredients including Tahitian vanilla beans, Ecuadorian cacao, saffron from Herat, Afghanistan, and gentian, a rare, blue flower sourced from the French Alps.
The Gold Fashioned cocktail is finalized with a simple syrup made with Demerara sugar from the African country of Malawi.
But, that’s not all; included with the 750 milliliters of the cocktail is a 2-milliliter spray bottle of orange mist, made with Spanish orange peel from Seville, mixed with pure alcohol. The orange mist is sprayed 3 inches above the glass, providing a subtle, but important finish to the cocktail.
This is absolutely not a cocktail that you can recreate at home. And it’s doubtful you’ll find anything comparable at any cocktail bar.
Yes, But How Does it Taste?
To put it simply, Gold Fashioned is complex, subtle, tasty, and flavorful. The journey begins with a savory, earthy flavor of vanilla, fruit, and maple. That develops into an oak-fired heat, transitioning into a long, balanced finish. However, don’t add too much ice, as that will ruin the experience.
The aroma of these uncommon cocktails is an enticing blend of bright citrus, dark fruit, and savory flavors of maple and oak. Earthy saffron lends a luminous yellow glow to the entire mix.
For Some, Price is No Object
Haynes never worried about setting a high price tag. He understood some people would be shocked and others, who appreciate the finer things in life, would be intrigued. The fact is, some people enjoy splurging on fine food and drink. That makes Gold Fashioned very enticing to a select few.
How Does Gold Fashioned Compare to Less Expensive Brands?
Gold Fashioned was pitted against several other brands of premixed Old-Fashioneds ranging in price from $20 to $45 per bottle. Unquestionably, the more expensive cocktails were better, with a more interesting, balanced, and nuanced flavor.
The bottle of Handy & Schiller was decidedly sweeter, and High West Barrel Finished Cocktail tasted brawnier, with a focus on spirits. On the other hand, Gold Fashioned proved to be less sweet, much more nuanced, and softer overall.
Gold Fashioned Definitely Can Be Worth It
A 750-milliliter bottle equals a dozen cocktails, meaning you can treat 12 of your closest friends for around $12.50 each. Compared to buying a round at one of Chicago’s tonier cocktail bars, that’s a bargain.
The perfect meal to go along with your bottle of Gold Fashioned could include thick-cut pork chops drizzled with balsamic vinegar, or duck, roasted with a glaze of cherry and citrus. After dinner, Southern spiced pecans and Southern-style chocolate chess pie complement the subtle chocolate hues of the cocktail.
However, a light snack of bacon-wrapped figs and Alpine cheese is also a perfect complement to your $150 bottle of Gold Fashioned. Either way, your friends will be impressed.
