Wanderin Barm Gin Old Fashion

Wanderin Barm Gin Old Fashion is a ready-to-drink cocktail from Esplanda that takes the Old Fashioned format, which is spirit, a touch of sugar, bitters and a citrus note, and builds it on gin instead of the usual whiskey. The listing gives no ABV, botanical list or bottle size, so what follows describes how drinks in this style usually behave. It is not a measured profile of this bottle. Swapping gin for whiskey changes the character of the drink. Where a whiskey Old Fashioned leans on vanilla, oak and caramel, a gin version typically gets its backbone from juniper and its lift from citrus peel, coriander or floral botanicals. The sweetness and bitters then round those edges. Expect something drier and more aromatic than the classic, with a resinous or herbal note rather than a baked-sugar one. Whether this bottle leans juniper-forward or citrus-and-floral isn't stated, so it's worth a small first pour before you build plans around it. Because it is pre-mixed, it doesn't need a Gin & Tonic, Martini, Negroni or Tom Collins treatment. Those drinks start from a bottle of gin, and this one is already a finished cocktail. Serve it the way an Old Fashioned is normally served. Chill the bottle well, then pour over a large cube or two of clear ice in a short rocks glass, which dilutes slowly and holds the aroma. A twist of orange or lemon peel, expressed over the surface so the oils land on the drink, is the natural garnish. A sprig of rosemary or thyme also suits the botanical side of gin. If the drink tastes sweeter than you like, a longer stir over ice or a fresh squeeze of citrus peel will sharpen it. It also works as a stand-alone pour with roasted nuts, aged hard cheeses or charcuterie.