What’s in a name? Whether you call them “ready-to-drink,” “ready-to-serve,” or “bottled/canned cocktails” some interesting things are happening in this corner of the spirits world.
Hochstadter’s Slow & Low, the folks who brought back pre-made Rock & Rye cocktails, have two new entries in the field: the Slow & Low Cherry Old-Fashioned and Slow & Low Maple Old-Fashioned. Slow & Low is partnering with Luxardo (Italian liquor) for the first offering, and Crown Maple (organic maple syrup from New York’s Hudson Valley) for the second expression.
Slow & Low is known for its Proper Rye Old Fashioned, what it calls “a modern reimagining of Hochstadter’s historic recipe, combining straight rye, rock candy, honey, bitters, and navel orange peel to create a full-strength serve.”
Slow & Low sent me a complimentary bottle of the Proper Rye Old Fashioned recently. As a relative newbie to ready-made cocktails, the concept continues to grow in my estimation. Can’t argue with the convenience, but what about the flavor? I’m not usually a big rye guy. But the rock candy does what it has always done in Rock & Rye and smooth out the rough edges of the rye. Honey, bitters, and navel orange peel come together to make you think you’re drinking a nice cocktail put together by a top-flight mixologist. (Because you did!)
Slow & Low also sent samples of the Coffee Old Fashioned. An avowed non-coffee drinker, I regifted them to my oldest daughter Cortney, who can converse knowledgabley with both a barista and a bar tender. Two thumbs up from her on the coffee cocktails.
Hockstadter’s Slow & Low promises “craft cocktails with convenience,” and I can testify the company is delivering on both promises.
Slow & Low Cherry Old-Fashioned
Crafted with Luxardo’s acclaimed Sangue Morlacco Cherry Liqueur, resulting in a vibrant twist on the classic Old-Fashioned.
Tasting notes (from the company): “Intense black cherry jam aroma, marzipan, and orange notes. The palate is bold and full-bodied, featuring tart black cherry, cola, vanilla, cinnamon, star anise, and orange peel, finishing cleanly with a rye spice dry-down.”
SRP: $29.99/750ml, $15.99/375ml, $19.99/100ml 4-pack
ABV: 40%
“Collaborating with Slow & Low on the Cherry Old-Fashioned has been a natural partnership rooted in our shared commitment to authenticity,” said Matteo Luxardo, CEO of Luxardo. “Our liqueur brings over 200 years of Italian tradition to this innovative expression, bridging Old World heritage with New World ingenuity.”
Slow & Low Maple Old-Fashioned
Features Crown Maple’s exceptional organic maple syrup, balancing warm maple sweetness with Slow & Low’s rye backbone.
Tasting notes (from the company): “It opens with bright orange citrus and subtle maple sweetness, while the palate offers hints of crème brûlée, molasses, and spices, finishing with a satisfying fade to vanilla and oak.”
SRP: $29.99/750ml, $15.99/375ml, $19.99/100ml 4-pack
ABV: 40%.
“Partnering with Slow & Low showcases the select quality of Crown Maple organic maple syrup, adding depth and complexity to this cocktail experience,” said Mike Cobb, CEO of Crown Maple. “Our syrup enhances the whiskey’s character, representing artisan craftsmanship at its finest.”
Cherry and MapleOld Fashioneds are now available to order online in 750-milliliter bottles, with 100-milliliter cans and 375-milliliter bottles launching later this year.
Source: Slow & Low
"These new expressions represent the evolution of what we've been building since day one — a house of proper old-fashioneds that honors tradition while elevating the cocktail experience.By collaborating with masters like Luxardo and Crown Maple, we overdeliver in proof, balance, taste, and quality of ingredients. These best-in-class collaborations enable us to explore flavors that feel both familiar and fresh, maintaining the bartender-quality and consistency that defines our portfolio.”
About Slow & Low (from the company):
A pioneer in the ready-to-drink space, Slow & Low was first conceptualized by late third-generation distiller Rob Cooper in 2010, paying homage to America's original bottled cocktail. Slow & Low Proper Rye Old-Fashioned is a modern reimagining of Hochstadter's historic recipe, combining straight rye, rock candy, honey, bitters, and navel orange peel to create a full-strength serve. Union crafted at the United States' oldest distillery in New Jersey, Slow & Low is committed to honoring the makers, disruptors, and innovators. It is available as four bottled and canned expressions: Proper Old-Fashioned, Coffee Old-Fashioned, Cherry Old-Fashioned, Maple Old-Fashioned, and a bottled 100-Proof 6-Year Old-Fashioned. For more information, visit www.drinkslowandlow.com and follow @drinkslowandlow on Instagram.
