Bulleit Old Fashioned Cocktail

Bulleit's Old Fashioned Cocktail packs a Kentucky-made, bourbon-based drink into a single can. The label describes it as built on the brand's high-rye bourbon, with bitters and natural flavors, and it is bottled at 37.5% ABV. That is far stronger than most canned drinks. Hard seltzers and canned highballs usually sit in the 4 to 10 percent range. This one is closer to a spirit, so treat the can as a pour of whiskey, not as a light refresher. High-rye bourbon is the defining ingredient. Bulleit's whiskey is known for a rye-forward mash bill, and in an Old Fashioned that typically shows up as a drier, spicier backbone than a wheated bourbon would give. Expect the usual structure of the style: caramel and vanilla from the oak, a peppery edge from the rye, and aromatic bitters adding a bittersweet, lightly herbal and orange-peel quality. A touch of sweetness rounds it out, as in any Old Fashioned. These are the characteristics typical of the category, not a measured profile of this exact can. Whether the bitters or the sweetness lead is something you will find out on the first pour. Because the drink is pre-mixed, there is no muddling, no sugar cube and no bar tools involved. Chill the can thoroughly in the refrigerator before opening. At this strength, cold temperature softens the alcohol's bite and keeps the sweetness in check. For the classic presentation, pour it over a large ice cube in a rocks glass. A big cube melts slowly and opens the drink up gradually, whereas small or crushed ice dilutes it fast. An orange peel or a cocktail cherry from your own kitchen is a simple garnish if you want one. Drinking it straight from the chilled can works too, and it is easy to pack for the cooler. The flavor profile points toward rich, savory and smoky food. Grilled steak, burgers, smoked brisket, pulled pork, barbecue ribs and sharp aged cheddar all suit caramel-and-spice bourbon notes. Roasted nuts and dark chocolate work as lighter pairings. It fits well at a cookout, a campsite fire, a tailgate or a quiet night after dinner. Since each can is a full-strength serving, it is better sipped slowly than drunk quickly.