Perfect Pairings & Recipes for
Old Fashioned

Discover the best flavour pairings for Old Fashioned based on data analysis of thousands of recipes. Find perfect ingredient matches & delicious recipes.

Old Fashioned conjures the evocative embrace of gentian root and the kiss of oak, but beneath its bitterness lies a complex symphony of subtle flavour notes, such as allspice, cedar, and hints of coconut, giving it remarkable depth. The key to finding the perfect pairing for Old Fashioned is understanding how these notes harmonise.

To map these harmonies, we analysed thousands of ingredients, breaking each one down across 150 flavour dimensions, identifying which notes complement and contrast. Our analysis reveals, for example, how Granny Smith apple's malic tones cut through Old Fashioned, and how duck fat's adipose notes create a surprising synergy with its herbal bitterness.

An ingredient's flavour comes from its core characteristics, like spice, woody, and herbal, combined with its unique aroma notes (outer bars). When pairing ingredients, aim to include a broad variety of core characteristics for a balanced dish. And choose aroma notes that complement each other for a harmonious combination.

The Flavour Code

To understand exactly which flavours harmonise, we compiled a database of over 50,000 ingredient pairings commonly used in cooking. We then analysed these pairings, identifying the specific flavour notes that frequently appear together.

The Flavours That Harmonise With Gentian Notes

Our analysis reveals a strong connection between gentian root and animal fat flavours. Since Old Fashioned has a distinct gentian flavour, try pairing it with the fatty flavours of duck fat.

The recipe below provides inspiration for pairing Old Fashioned with duck fat.

Harmonious Flavours Of Old Fashioned

Just as our ingredient analysis revealed that gentian root and fatty flavour notes tend to pair together, we can identify the full profile of flavours that harmonise with each of the flavours present in Old Fashioned. For instance, the oaky notes of Old Fashioned are strongly associated with tea-like and coffee-like notes.

The aromas complementing the various notes of Old Fashioned can be seen highlighted in the pink bars below.

Matching Flavour Profiles

The flavour profile of Granny Smith apple offers many of the aroma notes complementary to Old Fashioned, including malic and raspberry aroma accents. Because the flavour profile of Granny Smith apple has many of the of the features that are complementary to Old Fashioned, they are likely to pair very well together.

The chart above shows the unique profile of Granny Smith apple across 150 dimensions of flavour, while the recipes below offer inspiration for bringing these flavours together with Old Fashioned.

Recipes That Pair Old Fashioned With Granny Smith Apple

Linked Flavour Notes

Looking at the aromas that are most strongly associated with the various flavours of Old Fashioned, we can identify other ingredients that are likely to pair well.

The left side of the chart above highlights the aroma notes of Old Fashioned, along with the complementary aromas associated with each note. While the right side shows some of the ingredients that share many of the aromas complementary to Old Fashioned.

Which Vegetables Go With Old Fashioned?

Choose vegetables that resonate with its warmth or infuse with its wood aroma. Chicory offers vibrant, clean counterpoints, its verdant freshness lifting the palate. Banana shallot add a gentle, oniony brightness, while white onion introduces a sophisticated, anise-tinged elegance.

Alternatively, embrace vegetables that harmonise with Old Fashioned's warmth. The addition of green pepper, with its subtle seminal notes, can complement the allspice beautifully. Pearl onion bridges earthiness and citrus zest, while cabbage lends a earthy aroma.

How Flavonomics Works

We've pioneered a unique, data-driven approach to decode the intricate art of flavour pairing. Our goal is to move beyond intuition and uncover the science of why certain ingredients harmonise beautifully. This rigorous methodology allows us to provide you with insightful and reliable pairing recommendations.

Our analysis begins with over 50,000 carefully selected recipes from acclaimed chefs like Galton Blackiston, Marcello Tully, and Pierre Lambinon. This premium dataset ensures our model distils genuine culinary excellence and creativity.

Each ingredient from these recipes is deconstructed across 150 distinct flavour dimensions, creating a unique numerical "flavour fingerprint." This quantification allows us to apply advanced analytical methods to identify complex patterns between flavour notes.

We identify popular ingredient combinations that frequently appear in our recipe database. Regression analysis is then performed on these pairings to statistically validate and pinpoint truly harmonious flavours.

These insights drive our predictive model, which allows us to take any ingredient (e.g., Old Fashioned), analyse its detailed flavour profile, and accurately reveal its complementary flavours and perfect ingredient partners.