Bartenders from Sydney’s Dean and Nancy on 22, and Melbourne’s Sky Bar have joined forces to create one of the world’s most expensive cocktails, the Woodford Reserve ‘Gold Fashioned’.
The drink, which will be priced at $15,000, has been made for Woodford Reserve’s Old Fashioned Week, a national celebration of the original cocktail, which will be held from 5 to 14 November.
The cocktail itself includes Woodford Reserve Baccarat Edition bourbon (finished in XO Cognac casks), a gold-infused reduction of Chateau d’Yquem sauternes wine, and handmade saffron and vanilla bitters.
The drink was introduced to media and guests at a special event held yesterday (2 November) at Dean and Nancy on 22.
Here it was also revealed that two drinkers will see their regular Old Fashioned order upgraded to a ‘Gold Fashioned’ at no additional cost.
One upgrade will occur in Sydney at Dean and Nancy’s, while the other will happen at Sky Bar in Melbourne. To be in with a chance, drinkers simply need to order an Old Fashioned at either venue during the course of Woodford Old Fashioned Week.
Stefano Filardi, Bartender and Venue manager at Dean and Nancy on 22 explains the inspiration behind this drink.
“After years of lockdowns and missing out, we’re finding that our guests are eager to splurge, particularly if it’s for an experience they can’t get anywhere else,” Filardi says.
“We were already celebrating Old Fashioned Week, but wanted to take it even further. So, we took some of the world’s finest ingredients, including a luxurious bourbon like Woodford Reserve and added touches of decadence, including a handmade saffron and vanilla bitters and even a gold-infused Chateau d’Yquem reduction to create a cocktail experience that’s never been seen or done before,” he continues.
Andy Tsai, Woodford Reserve Brand Ambassador, echoes this message.
“There are few cocktails more classic than the Old Fashioned – a drink that is well loved in Australia and around the world for its sweet undertones, bitter yet smooth flavour and versatility across sipping occasions.”
“The Woodford Reserve Gold Fashioned offers cocktail connoisseurs the chance to experience the taste of luxury for themselves,” Tsai says.
According to Woodford Reserve, the ‘Gold Fashioned’ is Australia’s most expensive cocktail, and the second most expensive in the world, after the Ritz-Carlton Tokyo’s Diamonds Are Forever Martini (priced at $19,000).
Filardi also explains there will be alternative cocktails available for those who don’t have a spare $15,000.
“We know the price tag is big, but we think every dollar is worth the ‘Woodford Gold Fashioned. And for everyone else looking to enjoy a bit of luxury without the investment, we have a list of cocktails and exciting things on offer during Old Fashioned Week that won’t cost an arm and a leg,” he comments.
Tsai shared Filardi’s sentiments and emphasised the week’s accessibility, saying that “for those seeking a premium Old Fashioned experience with less of a price tag, we’re excited to offer something for everyone at Woodford Reserve Old Fashioned Week – whether Old Fashioned aficionado or first-time experimentalist.”
Some bars are offering experimental and interesting Old Fashioned cocktails – for instance, Brisbane’s Death and Taxes is producing a Matcha Old Fashioned during the week’s festivities.
La Luna on the Gold Coast is serving up a slightly more reasonable $400 Old Fashioned, while down in South Australia, Leigh Street Luggage have a special smoking gun to utilise a specific type of woodchip to impart flavour.
A list of participating venues can be found below.
NSW:
Apollonia, Sydney
Baxter Inn, Sydney
Chin Chin, Sydney
Dean & Nancy on 22, Sydney
Door Knock, Sydney
Doss House, Sydney
Duke of Clarence, Sydney
Fortunate Son, Sydney
Jolene’s, Sydney
Shady Pines, Sydney
The Intercontinental, Sydney
The Rover, Sydney
Websters Bar, Sydney
VIC:
Bar Ampere, Melbourne
Botswana Butchery, Melb
Chin Chin, Melbourne
Clooney Kitchen & Bar, Melb
George on Collins, Melb
Hats & Tatts, Melbourne
Howler, Melbourne
Mongkok, Melbourne
Oche, Melbourne
Ponyfish Island, Melbourne
Sky Bar, Melbourne
Society, Melbourne
The Cloakroom, Melbourne
The Everleigh, Melbourne
The Atlantic, Melbourne
White Oaks Saloon, Melb
SA:
Alfred’s Bar, Adelaide
Bank Street Social, Adelaide
Hains & Co, Adelaide
Leigh St Luggage, Adelaide
Memphis Slims, Adelaide
Nineteen Ten, Adelaide
Nola, Adelaide
QLD:
Alba Bar & Deli, Brisbane
Cobbler, Brisbane
Death & Taxes, Brisbane
Dr Gimlette, Brisbane
Genari Group, Gold Coast
HOTA, Gold Coast
Lockwood, Gold Coast
Stratton Bar & Kitchen,
Brisbane
Savile Row, Brisbane
The Gresham, Brisbane
Whisky Boy, Noosa
WA:
Bar Lafayette, Perth
The Old Synagogue, Perth
Foxtrot Unicorn, Perth
Mechanic’s Institute, Perth
Helvetica, Perth
QT, Perth
Who’s Your Mumma, Perth
ANY, Perth
The Beaufort, Perth