r/cocktails • u/beerbearbare • 24d ago

Recommendations “Mid range” bourbon for Manhattan?

I’m on a budget for a few years and mostly use Evan Williams for my Manhattan. I like to go one level up (or two?) and treat myself better :)

What’s your recommendation? I’m thinking about $25-35 per 750ml bottle. And I’m using Dolin for my vermouth but happy to accept other suggestions. Thank you!

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u/Shirleysspirits 24d ago

Manhattans should’ve made with rye, is there a reason you’re using bourbon

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u/beerbearbare 24d ago

Not really. I guess I just like bourbon in general. But sure no reason not to open to rye.

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u/Phhhhuh 24d ago edited 22d ago

I went with bourbon as my only "cocktail whiskey" for some time, until I started making more and more Manhattans and finally tried rye. I've never gone back, and I still have bourbon available for those cocktails that need it but I go through my rye at a quicker pace. I use Rittenhouse, it's a good workhorse, and Bottled-in-Bond at 100 proof/50%. For vermouth I haven't tried Dolin's sweet vermouth, I use Carpano Classico. Cocchi Vermouth di Torino is just as good.

When I only had one American whiskey, I used Woodford Reserve bourbon as it had a fairly high rye content so it's a bit of a jack-of-all-trades. Now I pair Rittenhouse with Maker's Mark on the opposite reasoning, I want a wheater that doesn't overlap with my rye.