Last Updated on: 9th April 2024, 09:15 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.
Discover the differences between Old Grand Dad 114 vs Old Grand Bonded in this in-depth comparison and decide which bourbon is better for You!
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.
Written by: J Highland
Old Grand Dad 114 vs Old Grand Bonded: Comparison
Old Grand-Dad 114: A robust and fiery bourbon with a mix of sweet, spicy, and citrus notes, offering a long warming finish. Perfect for those who seek intensity and complexity at a budget-friendly price.
Old Grand Dad Bonded: Balances sweetness and spice with vanilla, caramel, and rye notes, achieving a smooth experience despite its 100-proof strength. Ideal for daily enjoyment or as a value-packed option for bourbon lovers.
Key Difference: Old Grand Dad 114 was bottled at barrel proof, meaning, without diluting it with water before bottling while the Old Grand Bonded is a spirit bottled in Bond (100-Proof).
Verdict: Both Old Grand-Dad 114 and Old Grand Dad Bonded deliver distinctive bourbon experiences; one brings high-proof heat and bold flavors, while the latter offers a balanced, smooth sip at an accessible price point. Each appeals to different preferences, celebrating the rich diversity within bourbon, states whiskey expert Neil Coleman.
Related: Top Old Grand Whiskey Picks
Old Grand-Dad 114: Hot & Spicy Personality, Budget-Friendly Bite

- 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
- Similar to: Wild Turkey Rare Breed
Craving a bold bourbon that packs a punch and won’t break the bank? Old Grand-Dad 114 could be your match. Buckle up, though, because this high-proof hooch isn’t for the faint of heart.
The aroma is an intriguing mix: rich leather takes center stage, with hints of vanilla, cherry, and a whisper of alcohol.
First sip? Prepare for a flavor explosion. Sweetness, cherry, caramel, citrus, and cinnamon tango on your palate, all amped up by the 114-proof heat. Don’t forget the signature Jim Beam peanut note!
The finish is long and warming, leaving you with oak and rye spice lingering on your tongue. Just be warned, adding water won’t tame the beast much.
This ain’t your smoothest sipper. But if you like your bourbon hot, spicy, and bursting with flavor, Old Grand-Dad 114 delivers at a friendly price point.
Here’s the deal:
- Bold mix of sweet, spicy, and citrus notes
- 114-proof heat that stays present
- Long, warming finish with oak and rye spice
- Great value for a flavorful, high-proof bourbon
- Not for the faint of heart (or palate! )
Ready for a bourbon adventure? Old Grand-Dad 114 might just be the spicy, budget-friendly friend you’ve been searching for. Just go in knowing it’ll bring the heat!
Old Grand Dad Bonded: Sweet Heat, Budget Beat

- 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
- Similar to: Evan Williams Bottled in Bond
Craving a bourbon that packs a punch but won’t break the bank? Look no further than Old Grand Dad Bonded! This 100-proof beauty boasts a surprising balance of sweet and spicy notes, making it a great everyday sipper.
The aroma entices with vanilla, caramel, and a hint of peach, but there’s a whisper of alcohol lurking beneath.
Take a sip, and prepare for a bold flavor explosion. Oak, cinnamon, and rye spice hit your palate first, but then a wave of caramel sweetness washes over, laced with roasted peanuts and a touch of black pepper.
The finish lingers with oak and a warm baking spice hug, reminding you of its rye influence.
Not too harsh, not too sweet, just right. Old Grand Dad Bonded offers a surprising smoothness for its proof, especially with a few drops of water that unlock more sweetness.
Bonus points: It’s a steal compared to similar options like Basil Hayden’s, sharing the same mash bill for a fraction of the price.
Here’s the deal:
- Sweet and spicy balance: caramel, oak, rye spice, roasted peanuts
- 100-proof punch with surprising smoothness
- Great value for the money compared to similar bourbons
- Enhances with a few drops of water
Ready to discover a bourbon that’s both flavorful and affordable? Give Old Grand Dad Bonded a try! It might just become your new go-to for budget-friendly sipping.
Price comparison
Prices are approximate and stated in USD:
| Whiskey | Price |
| Old Grand Dad 114 | $30 |
| Old Grand Dad Bonded | $25 |
