Traverse City Old Fashioned Cocktail Kit 750ML

Traverse City Old Fashioned Cocktail Kit 750ML is a 750ml, 86-proof (43% ABV) ready-to-enjoy Old Fashioned cocktail built on Traverse City Whiskey Co.'s small-batch Michigan bourbon. It earned a Gold Medal at the 2021 ASCOT Awards, recognizing its faithful execution of America's most iconic whiskey cocktail in bottled form.

Quick Facts: ABV: 43%  |  Origin: Traverse City, Michigan  |  Style: Ready-to-Drink Old Fashioned  |  Distillery: Traverse City Whiskey Co.

Production & Heritage

Traverse City Whiskey Co. operates out of Traverse City, Michigan, in the heart of the state's cherry-growing region. The distillery's bourbon — the backbone of this cocktail kit — uses a mashbill of 71% corn, 25% rye, and 4% malted barley, produced in small batches. The recipe traces its origins to a whiskey formula that founder Chris Fredrickson's great-grandfather patented during the Prohibition era, making this a three-generation family project reconstructed and refined for the modern palate.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Sweet corn and warm caramel open the nose, followed by distinct orange peel and a thread of cedar. Subtle lemon zest and grain notes round out the bouquet, evoking a freshly muddled Old Fashioned.

Taste: The entry is sweetly fruited — cherry and blackberry arrive early, quickly layered with rich caramel and a lemon brightness. Mid-palate, the bourbon's rye spice asserts itself alongside savory cinnamon and a grassy undertone. The overall impression leans sweet but stays balanced by the grain backbone.

Finish: Medium in length with lingering toasted oak, orange, and a gentle rye-spice warmth. The cherry and caramel notes fade gradually, leaving a clean, satisfying close.

How to Drink the Traverse City Old Fashioned Kit

This cocktail kit is designed for immediate enjoyment — pour over a large ice cube, garnish with an orange twist or Luxardo cherry, and serve. For those who want to experiment beyond the classic serve, the bourbon-forward profile adapts well to variations: try it in a Boulevardier by adding sweet vermouth and Campari for a bittersweet riff; in a Whiskey Sour where the kit's existing fruit character amplifies the citrus; or in a Manhattan where the cherry and caramel notes complement sweet vermouth beautifully.

Best For

• Hosting a cocktail night without a fully stocked bar
• Gifting a bourbon enthusiast who appreciates classic American cocktails
• Tailgating, camping, or outdoor gatherings where mixing from scratch is impractical
• Introducing someone to the Old Fashioned who wants to taste a well-balanced benchmark

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Traverse City Old Fashioned taste like? It delivers a sweet, fruit-forward profile led by cherry, blackberry, and caramel with supporting notes of orange, cinnamon, and toasted oak. The bourbon's rye spice keeps the sweetness in check for a balanced, full-flavored Old Fashioned experience.

How does the Traverse City Old Fashioned compare to Evan Williams Black Label? Evan Williams Black Label is a straight bourbon designed as a versatile mixing whiskey at a lower proof, while the Traverse City Old Fashioned Kit is a complete cocktail product at 43% ABV with fruit and bitters flavors already integrated. The Traverse City expression also uses a higher-rye mashbill (25% rye) that delivers more spice complexity.

Is the Traverse City Old Fashioned good for beginners? Yes — its ready-to-serve format removes the guesswork of balancing bitters, sugar, and spirit ratios, making it an excellent entry point for anyone curious about classic whiskey cocktails.

Where is the Traverse City Old Fashioned made? It is produced by Traverse City Whiskey Co. in Traverse City, Michigan, a region in the northwestern part of the state's Lower Peninsula known for its cherry orchards and craft distilling scene.

What foods pair well with the Traverse City Old Fashioned? Smoked brisket or pulled pork, where the bourbon's caramel and oak complement charred, smoky meat; dark chocolate truffles, which echo the cherry and cinnamon notes; sharp aged cheddar, whose savory tang contrasts the cocktail's sweetness; candied pecans for a textural and flavor match with the caramel and spice; and charcuterie boards featuring cured meats and dried fruit.

What sizes does the Traverse City Old Fashioned come in? The standard offering is the 750ml bottle at 43% ABV (86 proof).

Is the Traverse City Old Fashioned worth the price? It positions as a mid-range ready-to-drink cocktail product that uses a craft distillery's small-batch bourbon rather than a generic base spirit, placing it above mass-market RTD options in both quality and value for the category.

Why the Traverse City Old Fashioned?

What separates this kit from the growing field of bottled Old Fashioneds is the bourbon at its core — a small-batch spirit built on a three-generation family recipe with a corn-heavy, rye-spiced mashbill that was literally patented during Prohibition. The 2021 ASCOT Awards Gold Medal validates the execution. At 43% ABV, it carries genuine whiskey weight rather than the diluted character found in many ready-to-drink competitors. For anyone who values the Old Fashioned as a cocktail worth taking seriously, this Michigan-made bottling delivers the real thing without requiring a muddler, bitters collection, or bartending experience.