Sensational Kickoff to Woodford Reserve Old Fashioned Week 2025 Ignites the Senses

We were there for the atmospheric kick-off of Woodford Reserve Old Fashioned Week 2025 at LuminAir Amsterdam, where we experienced how aroma, spices, and craftsmanship fused into one legendary cocktail.

Imagine dreaming up a drink with just three ingredients that, 150 years later, is being enjoyed all over the world. That’s exactly what happened with the Old Fashioned. At its core it’s incredibly simple, yet oh so beloved.

The fun part is that you can now riff on it in countless ways—and that’s exactly what’s happening this week during the Woodford Reserve Old Fashioned Week. A beautiful tribute to a wickedly delicious cocktail!

In the sparkling setting of LuminAir, high above bustling Amsterdam, Woodford Reserve Old Fashioned Week 2025 was launched with flair. The moment you step into the bar, you know it’s going to be a night full of flavor.

As we walk in, the scent of cinnamon tickles the nose first, quickly followed by clove, other spices, a hint of chili, and a sweet touch of vanilla. Upon arrival, everyone is greeted with a delightful Woodford Reserve Old Fashioned featuring gin and pink pepper.

The mission is clear: time to track down those aromas. We’re told there are several activities lined up—from crafting your own cocktail to, of course, tasting.

We follow our noses to the source of those alluring aromas. A massive table is laid out with a world map, a bottle of Woodford Reserve, and an array of spices. Lelani Lewis, chef, cookbook author, and food stylist, is ready to take us on a global journey of flavor and fragrance.

The Old Fashioned is deeply entwined with world history. Spices play a key role in the cocktail’s flavor and versatility. The trade in these spices dates back centuries, so it’s time for a history lesson.

We discover vanilla; white, pink, and black pepper; nutmeg; rosemary; and much more and our scent memory is instantly triggered by cinnamon.

My own sensory journey begins in Sri Lanka, the home of cinnamon. From there we travel to Portugal, the United Kingdom, the Caribbean, Indonesia, and finally the Netherlands.

After Lewis’ engaging mini-class, we head over to a specially set-up bar to mix our own Old Fashioned.

We start with 46 milliliters of Woodford Reserve bourbon, add a splash of chili-cinnamon syrup, and finish it off with a few dashes of cacao bitters. An orange peel garnish makes a cameo, then it’s time to stir and taste.

The cocktail turns out beautifully and tastes great, though it pales next to the many other creations we’ll sample throughout the evening at LuminAir. Everywhere you look, people are hard at work and bartenders are crafting the most exciting serves. There are no fewer than seven different Old Fashioned variations to try tonight, setting the tone for the week ahead!

Though the Old Fashioned is made with only three ingredients, it’s incredibly versatile, as today’s LuminAir menu proves. Star chefs (like Sidney Schutte of Spectrum and Floris van Straalen of VanOost) and bartenders (like Nick Vrielink of Fitz’s Bar and the LuminAir team) have joined forces this year for one-of-a-kind creations.

How about a Sol de Kentucky, featuring Woodford Reserve Bourbon, spicy mango, and ginger beer? Or a Duck Old Fashioned, with bourbon washed in crispy duck skin? (Yes, it really tastes like duck.)

We went for the Old Fashioned with a wild twist. Did you know you can even get cheese in your cocktail? We tried a Woodford Reserve bourbon washed with gorgonzola, mixed with PX sherry, figs, and walnut bitters. One thing’s certain: this week is full of unique drinks.

There are plenty of bites going around too, like langoustine with katjang pedis and sambal, sushi, and fried shrimp. The Old Fashioned is a drink that can truly bewitch your senses.

With Amsterdam’s skyline as our backdrop, evening quickly turns into a clear night as we say goodbye to Lewis, the LuminAir team, and our hosts. Woodford Reserve Old Fashioned Week 2025 has kicked off more deliciously than ever.

That bodes well for the rest of the week. Check out the schedule and participating bars on this website and go taste those incredible cocktails, because no two Old Fashioneds will be the same this week.

Every year, Woodford Reserve celebrates the classic Old Fashioned whisky cocktail with a series of events. This week the festivities take place across the Netherlands. No fewer than 44 bars from Maastricht to Groningen are taking part in the event (Woodford Reserve Old Fashioned Week 2025), each putting their own twist on the classic.

You’ll find exclusive cocktail menus at Fitz’s Bar, Belly of the Beast, and Door 74 in Amsterdam, at Stockroom in Groningen, and Mr. Smith in Maastricht.

Expect guest shifts and special happenings centered around the Old Fashioned throughout the week.