Chicago evidence predates the Pendennis Club Old-Fashioned origin story

According to Wondrich, an 1880 Chicago newspaper reference to old-fashioned cocktails predates the Pendennis Club's 1881 founding and undermines the club-invention story. A separate 1882 reference documents continued use.

2026-10-01: corrected the previous claim that both 1880 and 1882 predated 1881. PDF 252 supports the corrected attribution. Original newspapers have not been independently checked; Fact Check Status remains In Review.

An ambiguous 1869 reference exists. The Chicago evidence establishes earlier documented use, not exclusive Chicago invention; the 1882 rye-over-bourbon preference is local testimony, not a national ratio.