Branded By Innovation

In the 1850s, to cut back on the bite of unaged whiskey, bartenders and pharmacists would combine straight rye, rock candy, honey, orange peel, and bitters to soften the swig. Pharmacists prescribed this “Rock & Rye” blend to treat colds and other respiratory illnesses, and bar patrons would order it to treat whatever else ailed them — or just to make the good times even better.

The Hochstadter brand created its beloved Rock & Rye recipe in 1884. In 2010, Cooper Spirits Co. Founder, Rob Cooper, a third-generation distiller, turned to the archives to develop a modern iteration of the historic cocktail as a bottled old-fashioned. Thus, Slow & Low’s award-winning Proper Rye Old-Fashioned was born, with a canned version following shortly thereafter in 2016.

The Slow & Low Proper Rye Old-Fashioned is a staple in the Newport Beach-based spirits company’s ready-to-drink portfolio, but Cooper didn’t stop there. In 2021, Hochstadter’s Slow & Low teamed up with Intelligentsia Coffee to bring the market its 80-proof Coffee Old-Fashioned, followed by its 6-Year Rye Old-Fashioned, a bracing 100-proof cocktail, in 2022.

After years of research and development, the pioneering brand is thrilled to debut two delicious new expressions this fall. Slow & Low’s new 80-proof Cherry Old-Fashioned, made in collaboration with Luxardo, features the original maraschino liqueur producer’s Sangue Morlacco Cherry Liqueur. Aromas of black cherry jam, marzipan, and orange unfold into a rich, layered palate, with flavors of black cherry, cola, vanilla, cinnamon, star anise, and orange peel present in each irresistible sip.

Also brand new to Slow & Low’s portfolio is its 80-proof Maple Old-Fashioned, a perfectly balanced fall libation made in collaboration with Crown Maple syrup. Old-fashioned cocktail lovers will be drawn in by the familiar bouquet of citrus and maple, which quickly gives way to a revelatory palate of maple syrup, crème brûlée, and molasses, underscored with notes of orange peel, rye spice, cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg. A smooth finish of vanilla and oak lingers just long enough to leave its mark.

The High on Rye Van Tour

Whether you’re already a fan of Slow & Low Old-Fashioneds or simply whiskey-curious, it’s easy to appreciate the get-up and gusto of Cooper Spirits’ latest venture: the High on Rye Van Tour.

On March 28, the House of the Proper Old-Fashioned hit the road in its fully customized 1978 Chevy G20 van. The tour kicked off in Austin, Texas, at the Handbuilt Motorcycle Show, traversing the country to pop in at local festivals, music venues, retailers, bars, and more.

“Not only is it a rolling celebration of our craft, but it’s an opportunity to build new relationships while strengthening old ones,” says Cooper Spirits Co. Executive Chairman and Co-founder Katie Cooper. “We’re meeting our fans — and those looking for a new favorite pour — exactly where they are, breaking down the walls between brand and community by creating unexpected moments of connection across the country.”

The tour is still rolling full speed, covering coast-to-coast territories with unforgettable stops along the way, from the Daze Between Festival in New Orleans to the NIVA Convention in Milwaukee, and most recently, the Borderland Festival in East Aurora, New York. Follow Slow & Low on social media (@drinkslowandlow) as the tour heads into its final stretch.