Old Grand-Dad Bonded Bourbon

Continuing to taste whiskeys from my collection that I haven't reviewed yet. I had intended to do this alongside my Budget Bottled-In-Bond Bourbon Showdown (September 24, 2023). Color is a clear amber, resembling Pantone 144. The aroma offers sweet corn, orange creamsicle, apple cider, rye spice, and vanilla. On the third or fourth sampling, there's also some peanut brittle. The palate presents a very light creaminess, with additional corn sweetness and circus peanuts (the marshmallow candy flavor, especially when exhaling with your mouth closed, not the peanut candy mentioned earlier), then picking up some oak, vanilla, and char. As expected, Old Grand-Dad Bonded drinks like a milder version of Old Grand-Dad 114, which I've always enjoyed. Considering its high-rye mashbill, I'm somewhat surprised by the corn's prominence in the aroma and taste. I need to compare this against both OGD 114 and the two corn whiskies I currently have on hand (Mellow Corn and Balcone’s Baby Blue), as well as the previously mentioned budget bottled-in-bond bourbons. Old Grand-Dad Bonded can be purchased for under $25. Would I purchase it again? Yes. It's only about $5 less than OGD, but it's smoother to drink, and there's inherent value in inexpensive bottled-in-bond bourbon, provided it tastes good. 3.5 out of 5 stars. 100 proof. No Age Statement (but at least 4 years due to its Bottled-in-Bond designation). Mashbill: 63% corn, 27% rye, 10% malted barley. Note: All spirits tasted neat in a Glencairn glass.

This is my third attempt at reviewing this one. As is my custom with a bonded Old Grand-Dad, it's an inconsistent experience. Nose: Initially, there's some sting from the proof and it's quite plain (reminiscent of Cinnamon Toothpick). Allow it to breathe for a few minutes and you'll detect Leather, Dusty Oak, Peanut Shells, Clove, Cinnamon, Burnt Sugar, and Tobacco. With time, it develops a Fruit Tartness. Neat: Decent Coating Mouthfeel. As expected, Rye Spice with Vanilla, Clove, Cinnamon, Oak Tannins, a Hint of Barnyard with the Clove, Cinnamon, and Oak Coating and Layering after a Medium Length Finish. A nice Blooming KYHug. Splash: Increases the Sweetness a bit and brings a Stone Fruit Tartness (Peach, Nectarine). Verdict: Solid Bourbon and the highest score I've given it yet. I've fluctuated between 3.75 and 2.75 and 4. I'm unsure if the profile varies or if I just need to be in the right mood. It mixes great in Old-Fashioneds and High Balls, is passable neat, and good with a large ice cube. I found myself wondering, "Why don't I purchase this more often?"... Then, reading my previous notes on this, I found my answer. Old Grand-Dad Bonded is only a couple of dollars less than Old Grand-Dad 114, and around the same price as Wild Turkey 101. And that's the reason. Wild Turkey 101 has many of the same characteristics, and an additional few years of barrel aging for the same cost. I'll take the Turkey or the 114 every time.

Believe it or not, this is only my second bonded whiskey (the other was Mellow Corn). I purchased a fifth for $24.49 from the Total Wine Uptown store in Albuquerque. The mash bill is 63% corn, 27% rye, and 10% barley. It's 100 proof, as expected for a bonded whiskey, and that also implies it's at least four years old, although there's no age statement on the bottle (which is not required for a straight whiskey that's four years or older). In the glass, it has a copper gold color. Nose: The first thing I detected was fruit, which I was able to distinguish as apples, pears, and bananas. Then come sweet corn, a grainy element, white grapes, peanuts, cashews (I believe), vanilla, caramel, and an unusual corn tortilla note. Mouthfeel: Soft and thin. Taste: Corn, orange, cinnamon, honey butter, apple juice, vanilla ice cream, pecan praline. Finish: On the shorter side of medium, with oak, walnut, and faint honey notes. Summary: It's not as complex as I anticipated, but it's very good nonetheless. Considering the price, this is an excellent spirit, with some surprising notes. Rating: Fine.

Aroma: Cinnamon, red hots, vanilla Taste: Orange peel, oak (?), some sweetness (but not much), spicy as expected from a high rye mash bill. Other flavors are difficult to identify precisely. (Updated 4/1/23): Detecting vanilla tonight, along with some nuttiness. Nice! Finish: Medium duration with a familiar aftertaste from most other bottles I've sampled. I typically drink my bourbon with a large ice cube. Initially, it has a warming sensation in the chest. The ice tempers that effect. I place Old Grandad in the same category as Old Tub and Evan Williams 1783 for being 'Very good for the price.' Will I rush to buy a large quantity? No. Will I purchase it again? Yes.

The aroma is more robust and pronounced than anticipated for its cost, likely due to the alcohol content. There's a touch of ethanol, but mostly cinnamon and vanilla are present. Perhaps a faint hint of cherry. The taste is slightly grainy, but it possesses a delightful woody nuttiness and a smooth, buttery texture. The finish leans towards rye, with prominent herbal and minty notes, which some might not enjoy, but I find appealing. I do wish it lingered longer. The middle of the taste, in particular, is fleeting. However, considering the price, it's difficult to find fault. It's surprising that after dedicating so much time to bourbon, I'm only now sampling this. A whole liter for under $30? Absolutely outstanding value.

The initial aroma suggested a medicinal cherry, akin to cough syrup or lozenges. Later, more typical notes of caramel and vanilla emerged in the scent profile. Hints of cinnamon and orange were also perceived. The taste is quite standard, with caramel and vanilla being prominent from the start. The mid-palate evokes the sensation of toffee peanuts found in a box of Crunch and Munch. The finish offers some oakiness and a delicate spicy, peppery quality that is rather brief.