Last Updated on: 15th April 2024, 08:15 pm
J Highland
J Highland is a certified sommelier with 30 years in the liquor industry, owning a pub, a liquor store, and moonlighting as a spirits distiller.
Old Grand Dad Bourbon: Finding the best bottle
Written by: J Highland
Explore the best of Old Grand Dad Bourbon with insights from whiskey expert Neil Coleman and customers.
This budget-friendly Jim Beam family member stands out for its high rye content and distinctive spiciness.
Let’s dive into the spicy charm of Old Grand Dad.
Best Old Grand Dad Bourbon for Each Use and Taste
- Best for Casual Sipping: Old Grand Dad Bourbon – With its lighter body and sweet, simple flavors of vanilla, rye spice, and cinnamon, it’s ideal for easy drinking or as an introduction to bourbon.
- Best Value and Flavor: Old Grand Dad Bonded – Offers a great balance of bold flavors like cinnamon, caramel, and black pepper at 100 proof, making it a superb choice for those who appreciate a stronger bourbon without the high price.
- Cocktails: Old Grand Dad 114 – The high proof (114) and robust flavors of caramel, cherry, and citrus make it excellent for crafting spirited, flavorful cocktails like the Old Fashioned.
- These selections cater to different preferences, from everyday enjoyment to cocktail crafting, ensuring a suitable choice for any bourbon enthusiast.
- Quick Note: Running a pub and liquor store provides me ample access to various spirits, in addition, I moonlight as a spirits distiller. I assess them using customer feedback, expert opinions and online research.
Old Grand Dad Bourbon: Easy Sipping at an Affordable Price
- Nose: Vanilla, oak, rye spice
- Palate: Rye spice, oak, sweet corn, brown sugar, cinnamon
- Finish: Short-lived, warm, spicy
- Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
- How to drink: Add water
Old Grand Dad offers a sweet and inviting aroma with hints of vanilla and rye spice. The taste follows suit, featuring a rye-forward spiciness balanced by oak, sweet corn, brown sugar, and cinnamon. The finish is short and smooth, with a touch of oak warmth.
While easy to sip and affordable, Old Grand Dad is on the lighter side. The current 80-proof bottling has less body and flavor compared to the earlier 86-proof version. This makes it a good choice for casual drinking or mixing, but those seeking a more complex bourbon experience might want to look elsewhere, states whiskey expert Neil Coleman.
Old Grand Dad Bonded: Flavorful Value for Easy Sipping
- Nose: Vanilla, caramel, peaches
- Palate: Rye spice, cinnamon, oak, peanut, black pepper
- Finish: Oak, baking, rye spice
- Alcohol content: 100 proof (50% ABV)
- How to drink: Add water
Old Grand Dad Bonded entices with a sweet nose of vanilla, caramel, and a hint of peach. The taste lives up to the aroma, offering a bold mix of oak, cinnamon, rye spice, and hints of caramel, roasted peanuts, and black pepper. The finish echoes the baking and rye spice notes, with a touch of oak.
Despite its 100-proof strength, the warmth is manageable. Adding a splash of water further enhances the sweetness and smooths out the peppery spice. Overall, Old Grand Dad Bonded isn’t overly complex but delivers a pleasant and easy sipping experience, especially for the price. This makes it a solid value choice for those seeking a flavorful and affordable bourbon.
Old Grand Dad 114: Cask Strength Powerhouse for Spirited Cocktails
- Nose: Old leather, vanilla, cherry
- Palate: Caramel, cinnamon, cherry, citrus
- Finish: Long, rye spice, oak
- Alcohol content: 114 proof (57% ABV)
- How to drink: Cocktails
Bottled straight from the barrel, Old Grand Dad 114 packs a punch. The aroma offers a rich mix of aged leather, vanilla, cherry, and a touch of alcohol. The taste is equally bold, with a full, oily texture and flavors of cherry, caramel, citrus, cinnamon, and peanuts, all defying the 114-proof heat. The finish is long and warming, lingering with oak and rye spice.
While not the smoothest neat sipper due to its strength and peppery character, Old Grand Dad 114 shines in cocktails like the Old Fashioned. Its robust flavor profile and affordable price make it a great choice for those who enjoy crafting boozy and flavorful mixed drinks.
Buying Guide
| Whiskey | Price | Proof |
| Old Grand Dad Bourbon | $20 | 80 |
| Old Grand Dad Bonded | $25 | 100 |
| Old Grand Dad 114 | $30 | 114 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Way to Drink
- Old Grand Bourbon: Ideal neat or on the rocks.
- Old Grand Bonded: Recommended neat or on the rocks.
- Old Grand 114: Best in cocktails, particularly an Old Fashioned.
What is the Mash Bill?
- The mash bill consists of 63% corn, 27% rye, and 10% malted barley.
- This high rye content gives the bourbon its distinctive spicy notes.
Who Produces Old Grand Dad Whiskey?
- Old Grand Dad is produced at the Jim Beam Distillery in Clermont, Kentucky, along with other brands like Jim Beam, Knob Creek, and Basil Hayden’s.
- A common characteristic of whiskeys from this distillery is a roasted peanut note.
Who Was the Original “Old Grand Dad”?
- Basil Hayden, the grandfather of creator Raymond B. Hayden, was the original “Old Grand Dad” and is featured on the label.
- Hayden was known for adding rye grain to the bourbon mash bill.
What is the History of the Brand?
- The brand was established by Raymond B. Hayden in honor of his grandfather, Basil Hayden.
- The Hayden family’s distillery history dates back to 1840, with the brand surviving ownership changes and prohibition.
- It is now owned by Suntory Holdings, a Japanese firm.