Old Grand-Dad Bourbon (80 proof)

I finally got around to sampling this at a family get-together this past weekend. Having previously tried the 100 proof OG, it somewhat colored my perception of this 86 proof Old Grand-Dad. It's not a bad spirit, and considering its price, it's a solid value. It's readily available and the quality is quite consistent across the product line. Unfortunately, it doesn't impress me as much as the Bottled-in-Bond offering. The color in the glass is too pale, resembling iced tea rather than bourbon. While it does leave some legs on the glass, it's excessively watery. Sipping it neat, I detected light notes of oak, vanilla, and a hint of spice. The body felt different, leaning towards corn (similar to 13th Colony Corn Whiskey) with oak and vanilla softening the short body. The finish was fleeting and sweet, leaving a bitter aftertaste. Several of my relatives prefer this bourbon over the BiB version, and I feel the opposite. It's fine to like what you like and share what you have and know. I do keep in mind that this is a very affordable bottle and can be found almost everywhere.

The aroma is of peanut dust, hay, sawdust, and oak, with hints of green apple skin, orange zest, and ribbon candy. It has a dry, almost dusty scent, like being in a barn. Flavors include peanut, caramel, and woody oak. There's a distinct apple-and-cinnamon character, similar to chunky applesauce. The rye spice hits the front of the palate with a tingly sensation. The finish features vanilla and apple syrup, with notes of cherry juice, bitters, spicy orange peel, and oak. The oak presence lingers, providing a rich, lacquered quality. This is one of the better budget Bourbons I've encountered, packed with rich taste and excellent value for the price.

I was at a restaurant with my in-laws and they had this. It was the perfect opportunity to try it. It reminded me of Early Times in terms of flavor. A toffee or almost burnt caramel taste dominated the experience. The aroma was fairly subtle and aligned with the flavors that followed. It's truly a one-dimensional experience from start to finish, lacking significant depth or a lasting finish. A moment of sweetness lingers. I wanted to taste it, and I did. I will definitely let others mix this with Coke. Cheers!

Old Grand-Dad 80 offers a surprisingly good experience for a whiskey under $20. Its high rye content delivers a spicy, peppery, and sweet character. The palate features sweet corn, brown sugar, and cinnamon, closely resembling standard Bulleit Bourbon. While not exceptionally complex or unique, it's very drinkable.

Nose: notes of caramel, charred oak, vanilla, red cedar, and baking spices. The mouthfeel is lightly tannic and somewhat sharp. Palate: more charred oak, cedar, vanilla, and baking spice, with a hint of hay. Finish: medium length, with very mild warmth. 2.75/5.00 – Acceptable (neat)

A gentle floral scent. It drinks smoothly with a touch of sweetness, but the flavor is somewhat diluted. The warmth lingers after swallowing. A good value for a less expensive, watered-down bourbon. I likely won't purchase it again. There are superior bourbons available at this price.