Alibi, Los Angeles

This was delicious. They use Rittenhouse Rye which was delicious. Only issue was she didn't muddle anything, and barely squeezed the Orange peel. If I lived in LA, I'd be a regular here.
7.5/10

Steak & Whiskey, Hermosa Beach, California

This was really good.
They used Buffalo Trace and was really well done. Wasn't your typical Old Fashioned but the slight twist was well executed.
8/10

Abigaile, Hermosa Beach, California

This was a super popular joint but this was just about the worst old fashioned anyone of us had ever had. Super sweet and disgusting.
2/10

Marriott Marina del Rey, Los Angeles, CA

Walked by the bar at the Marriott I'm in and they had rock candy. I inquired what they put it in and when she said, "one of our Old Fashioneds", I ordered 4. (Not all for me)

Bulleit Rye seems to me the Rye here in LA.
It was really well done. She purposely didn't give us a big ice, because it doesn't work with the rock sugar. 8.5/10

Cantine, Austin TX

As usual, I told him bartenders choice, but specified my choice to be a Rye. The guy chose Buffalo Trace. This guy did it up, he lit a match and sprayed they orange peel mist trough it to toast the mist that went in the glass. Fancy. Overall a very good tasting OLd Fashioned and I'd have another if I return, however, I'm not sure I'd ever have two in one sitting as they were a little expensive. Maybe ask for the well Rye on the next one. Who knows, it may be Old Overholdt! No cherry at all. Good ice. Almost forgot to take a photo.
8/10

(By the way, they use a large ice cube for all drinks. He breaks it in his hands tapping with a spoon to make it fit different sizes glasses. Or he hammered it in a sack to make someone's mint julep. Slows down the bar, but impressive.)

VOX, Austin TX

The made this with High West Double Rye and it was very tasty. One thing they did different was that he mixed it and chilled it in a large mixing carafe then poured it over new ice. The bar in NYC at the top of Rockefeller Center did this too. I'll definitely have one again. However, I had to ask if I could add a maraschino cherry from their garnish tray on the bar, and minus 1 point for using small ice cubes that melted quickly in the sun.

Bricktop's - Atlanta

24 hrs after having a very mediocre one at Bistro Niko, I had one with the same Bulleit Rye at a restaurant a 1/4 mile away that was way better. While they still muddled an entire wedge of orange, the fact that they had bitters and the maraschino cherry, went a long way.
Minus 1pt for the orange wedge and regular ice that watered it down.
6.5/10

Drinks Lounge, Austin TX

The first time I came here in 2014, this was a terrible Old Fashioned.

After drinking across the street, I decided to hop over to knock out one more even though I knew it was bad, but I need 50 in 2015, so why not.
Nice surprise... Different bartender and, while made in a very small glass, it was delicious. I'm pretty sure it's the same amount of booze as a regular bourbon glass, but this small glass requires less ice?
I really enjoyed this one and think it deserves a solid 7.5/10

Swifts Attic - Austin, TX

The idea here is that they pour a Bourbon (I think it was Old Overholdt), into a glass with a frozen ball that is made up of the rest of the ingredients.
While the idea is original and cute, it doesn't work for an Old Fashioned. You are essentially drinking Bourbon on the rocks until enough thaws, and that takes a while because it is a ball instead of a cube (physics). The point of a ball ice-cube is that it is the longest shape to melt. The point of this drink is that you want the frozen mix to melt to flavor the bourbon.
By the end of this, you lose patience and start to destroy the ball with the straw you got with your water, or the spoon from your appetizer, and even though you already asked for a second pour of Bourbon, it's now just way too sweet. Never again as you're paying for two drinks because you feel like you need that second pour of bourbon to see if you can make better, which you can't.
5/10

(They do offer this idea for other drinks, and I think it could work for those)

________ - New Orleans, LA

I wish I could remember where this was but I don't. Not one of my soberest nights, but I do know that this was clearly the worst Old Fashioned I've ever had in my life.
Who puts coke in an Old Fashioned? They do.
1/10

Kingfish - New Orleans

This one was delicious. Great technique and care, to make such a simple drink a great one.
Meticulously muddled, sugar and orange peel, then topped it with another twisted peel at the end. The well bourbon is Old Overholdt, and that was good enough for me.
8.5/10

Bistro Niko - Atlanta, GA

For a dressy place with great food, I was extremely disappointed by this one. Bulleit Rye (I simply said, Bartenders choice, but make it a Rye), a slice of orange, a red bar-cherry, and regular bar ice, made for a weak old Fashioned. I'd forgive the ice, if the technique was more on point.   5/10