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

Craftsman, Austin, TX

They're not officially open until May 2, so this may be an unfair review.  

Not very good.   Bulleit Rye for me, G. Dickel's for her, neither were great.    But.... we will be back for a second try once they're seasoned.  Great staff, and great Sunday flavored mimosa specials so giv'em a shot.... Just stay away from this drink.  5/10

Stay Gold - Austin, TX

This place is great.  And this is a tasty OF.  The fact that the well rye is High West Double Rye gives them an automatic 2 extra points.   

However, with such a great rye and so much love put into it, I'm saddened by the use of run of the mill ice that waters it down faster than one big cube. 

So 8/10 is all I can give instead of a 9 or 9.5

Whislers - Austin TX

This is one of my go to places for a great OF in Austin. This one uses Dickel's (green label).
Delicious. 8.5/10

The Tigress - Austin, TX

These people know how to make an OF the way I love them. This was delicious and they used Old Overholt. Just thinking of it makes me thirsty.
9/10

The other one I had was so good, I decided I needed to try one with High West rye as well. This one didn't disappoint, either.  Looked identical to the one in the pic.
9/10

Temple Bar - New York City, NY

This one was alright but not delicious like the one I had just had at The Wren 5 mins away. There wasn't anything wrong with it, it just wasn't greatness.
6.5/10

Top of the Rock - New York City, NY

This was good but not awesome. Not a single hint of maraschino cherry for flavoring but it was clear that they have chilled it prior to serving and they gave me one big ice cube which is how it should be.
I think it cost $18. You pay for the view.

7/10

The Wren - New York City, NY

This was all sorts of delicious. It was too loud to ask her what booze she used, but it was tasty. I wish I could have had 4 more.
8.5/10

Pencil Factory - Brooklyn, NY

The worlds smallest OF. She made it in one of those wide mouth shot glasses. I first thought it was a joke but she said that is how they make them at that bar. Despite that she tried to ruin it with one of those disputing red bar cherries, it was actually quite delicious!
7/10 (deducted a point for the nasty cherry)

Marea - New York City, NY

This is a very fancy seafood restaurant across the street from south end of Central Park.
They used Basel Hayden. It was ok, but not sure why they couldn't make it as delicious as other BH OFs. One thing to note is that the sure as hell serve you a full glass!
6/10

Boiler Room - Las Vegas, NV

This one was delicious. In fact, it was so delicious, that I had three. I do wish they wouldn't have used crushed ice and instead used a large cube or two, but overall it was most excellent.
Asked the Bartender to use Makers Mark 46. Best decision ever.
9/10

La V - Austin, TX

This was not a cheap OF, but didn't knock my socks off. It was ok, but not memorable. They used Basel Hayden, and as you can see the maraschino cherry was not in the drink.
Rating: 7/10

Butterfly Bar, Austin TX

This old fashioned was not very good.
They use lemon instead of orange peel and shook it in a shaker prior to serving. To add to the madness, they also use regular crushed ice cubes instead of larger cubes so the ice melt much faster, watering it down.
Rating 5/10

Porter Gastropub - Austin, TX

This was supposed to be an OF with banana, but the bartender mistakenly added chili pepper something or other instead of banana infusion so this one was a failure. She did rectify and gave me a replacement. Quite tasty once fixed.

Rating: 7/10