Raising a Glass to Elijah Craig Old Fashioned Week
Every October, the bourbon world rallies for one of its most spirited traditions: Elijah Craig Old Fashioned Week. What began as a celebration of a classic cocktail has evolved into something bigger — a toast to craftsmanship, community, and creativity. Distillers, bartenders, and enthusiasts across the country stir up their best versions of the timeless Old Fashioned, all while supporting Southern Smoke Foundation, a nonprofit aiding hospitality worker in need.
At Stave & Slide, we’ve always believed that the Old Fashioned is more than a recipe — it’s a ritual. The balance of spirit, sweetness, and bitters is an art form, one that invites reinvention while honoring tradition. So this year, as the bourbon world clinks glasses to Elijah Craig, we decided to join the celebration our way — with a cocktail that bridges barrel and island, char and sugarcane, tradition and play.
The Brass Monkey Old Fashioned
Bourbon backbone, island soul.
This year’s kickoff cocktail for Old Fashioned Week is The Brass Monkey Old Fashioned, a Stave & Slide original that pays homage to the classic form while swinging through the tropics. It’s both serious and cheeky…rich bourbon and aged rum at its core, dressed up with banana, spice, and a hint of tiki warmth.
Recipe:
1 oz Appleton Estate Signature Rum
1 oz Old Forester 1870 90 Proof Bourbon
½ oz Giffard Banane du Bresil Liqueur
¼ oz Allspice Dram
2–3 dashes Bittermens Elemakule Tiki Bitters
1–2 dashes Angostura Cacao Bitters
Garnish: Brûléed banana slice dusted with Demerara sugar
Glassware: Double Old-Fashioned glass over a large clear cube
Tasting Notes
Aroma: Banana caramel and toasted spice leap from the glass, wrapped in the warmth of oak and sugarcane.
Palate: The bourbon’s vanilla and char anchor the rum’s tropical sweetness, while the banana liqueur and allspice dram create a round, luxurious mid-palate. The bitters — cacao and tiki — pull everything together with subtle depth and a whisper of smoke.
Finish: Lingering notes of banana foster, nutmeg, and toasted oak.
The Experience
Lighting the brûléed banana garnish brings this cocktail to life — a quick kiss of flame caramelizes the sugar and releases a warm, dessert-like aroma that floats over the glass. It’s a showpiece and a sip in one, the perfect toast to Old Fashioned Week’s spirit of celebration and craft.
Why It Matters
Elijah Craig’s Old-Fashioned Week blends great whiskey with a greater purpose — supporting those who pour for us year-round. Each fall, participating bars and enthusiasts raise funds for the Southern Smoke Foundation, which provides emergency relief and free mental health services to hospitality workers in need.
Since launching in 2020, the campaign has raised over $500,000, including $100,000 pledged in 2024 alone. For every Elijah Craig Old Fashioned sold, $1 goes directly to Southern Smoke, helping fund relief grants and counseling sessions across the country. It’s proof that a simple cocktail , done right, can make a lasting impact.
“The Old Fashioned isn’t old — it’s timeless. Every riff keeps it alive.”
Cheers From Stave & Slide
How to Celebrate Old Fashioned Week
Sip with purpose: Many bars donate portions of proceeds to hospitality causes.
Share your pour: Post your Old Fashioned creation using #OldFashionedWeek.
Support your local bartenders: They’re the keepers of this craft.
Visit https://southernsmoke.org/ to learn more.
