Old Grand-Dad 114 Bourbon

Color: Deep Amber Aroma: Sweet aroma — cherry cordial, faintly "musty" — but in the best possible way. No ethanol detected, but the aroma certainly hints at the proof. I'm detecting more, but I can't identify it. Time for the first sip... Palate (served with an ice cube): Yes! The palate is like an extension of the aroma. Both are perfectly matched. Cinnamon hits the front of the tongue on the first sip, followed by a Big Kentucky hug on the first swallow, yet it's amazingly smooth and flavorful. Spicy and "buttery"(?)... there's a good amount of "sweetness," but the spice (the high rye content?) is dominant on the palate. I'm taking a chance here.... I recently tasted and reviewed Old Ezra 7 Year. I stated it was similar to every Booker's batch I'd ever had. Well, this one is even more like Booker's, similar to past batches (What's going on with the "Old" bottles?). Back to the palate... Yes, I'm attributing what I'm tasting mostly to the "high rye" mash bill this bottle features. I truly — truly — enjoy this. I loved Old Grand Dad BiB 100 proof, so I had a feeling I would like this just as much, at minimum. I'm detecting "tobacco" as the ice melts. I'm really enjoying this! Finish: I'd describe it as a medium finish with lingering spice and tobacco. Final thoughts: Hmm... I believe I've just found a new favorite for my "desert island" selections. Anyone who enjoys Booker's but can't, or prefers not to, spend over $100 for a bottle of bourbon should definitely consider this. Old Grand Dad 114 proves that expensive doesn't always equate to superior in the whiskey world. 4.5 stars!

While browsing the liquor store, I noticed this on the bottom shelf. I'd seen generally positive assessments over the years and had been curious, but never bought it until now. At 114 proof and under $30, the only question is whether this is a quality drink? Aroma: Initially, ethanol vapors obscure the scents. Once they fade, a sweet aroma emerges. Notes of candy corn, Karo syrup, vanilla, aged leather, and peanut brittle. An aroma with similarities to Old Tub. Palate: A medium-full body with some substance. Flavors of tobacco, cola, the same candy corn from the aroma, cinnamon, ginger root, and rye. All the flavors are robust, impactful, and vibrant. With Water: Much sweeter with added water. A smooth caramel and vanilla sipper without the earthy spice. Finish: A solid woody finish, earthy, leathery, spicy hot, tingly, and long-lasting. A finish that endures and is deep, a characteristic that makes a whiskey rewarding and is often absent in many. Overall: Surprisingly sharp. This drinks like a mid-tier bourbon with rich and flavorful notes. The sweet aroma leads you one way, while the spicy palate takes you on a different course. With its spicy qualities and strong impact, this has the characteristics of a mixer. And all this comes at an extremely affordable price. A surprisingly good bourbon. [86/100][[$30][Tasted: 2/28/25]

It's been over two years since I've reviewed this bourbon, and I'm surprised that it's only been once. I've always viewed OGD 114 as a value high-proof bourbon. The most noticeable element on the nose is leather, along with caramel, light pomander, and vanilla. There is glycerin on the palate, in addition to some oakiness. The finish is a little woody and nondescript; but the overarching aspect is its smoothness: the 114 proof is very well integrated. Old Grand-Dad 114 is a bourbon that you can not only enjoy neat, but also not feel badly about using it in a cocktail (in fact the high proof makes it great for cocktails). OGD 114 ranks very high on the value scale, as it can be found for ~$30. Would I buy it again? 100%. 4.0 on the scale.

Opened this to try with a friend, not for a special event but because I'd forgotten about it. Sampled neat. I'm attempting to let it air out for my nose, as it was initially just ethanol. After about 10 minutes, I re-sniff, swirl, swirl, swirl, and smell again. Let's try once more. Indeed, it opened up aromatically, still with strong ethanol, but if you smell past the potent ethanol, you detect notes of faint vanilla, significant nasal-singeing sensation, mild caramel wood, cherry, apricot, pear, clove, spearmint, and soy sauce. The initial taste is hot, but it mellows and becomes warm with notes of vanilla, caramel, minimal cocoa, clove, slight fruit, and strong spearmint.

I'm awarding this 4 stars, not for its quality as a sipping bourbon, but because it finally fulfilled my search for the ideal bourbon to mix with Coke. I've tried numerous options: Jack Daniels, Jim Beam, Maker's Mark, Buffalo Trace, 4 Roses (Yellow label), Redneck Riviera, Benchmark, 10 High, among others. The results from these bourbons ranged from delightful to completely ruining the Coke, making it undrinkable. Using Old Grand Dad with Coke allows both the soda and the bourbon to be appreciated in perfect balance.

Smells of vanilla, caramel, and a touch of tobacco. Moderate alcohol scent. Has a moderate burn initially, but it mellows out to reveal some cherries and chocolate. The finish and aftertaste have notes of leather and tobacco with a mild sweetness. I'm sure it's improved by adding an ice cube, but it's good even neat. It is a bit harsh at first, but it concludes with a nice smooth taste. A good value bourbon.