The Victorian precursor to the modern Old Fashioned, this Jerry Thomas–era template adds Maraschino and an absinthe rinse to the whiskey-bitters-sugar formula, creating a more complex and aromatic ancestor. The word "improved" in 1860s bar parlance meant the addition of those two modifiers.
stirred · rocks glass · cubed
add
Combine rye, maraschino, simple syrup, absinthe rinse, and bitters in a mixing glass.
stir
Add ice and stir for 25–30 seconds until well chilled.
strain
Strain over a large ice cube in a rocks glass.