Old Grand-Dad 114
Beam Suntory · Jim Beam Distillery, Clermont, Kentucky
Old Grand-Dad 114 is the thinking drinker's value bourbon — a bottle that punches so far above its price point it almost feels like a mistake. That 27% rye mash bill, nearly double the industry average, gives it a backbone of spice that would overwhelm a lesser whiskey, but here it serves as architecture for layers of caramel, chocolate, and charred oak to hang upon. The high proof isn't a gimmick — it's a magnifying glass, amplifying nuances that lower-proof expressions wash away. At under thirty-five dollars, this is a bottle that seasoned bourbon drinkers quietly recommend to one another.
Nose
Rich caramel and toasted rye bread emerge first, followed by waves of cinnamon bark, dried orange peel, and a dark chocolate undertone that deepens with time in the glass. A few drops of water unlock a hidden layer of brown sugar and charred oak.
Palate
Bold rye spice leads, then yields to butterscotch, charred oak, and baking spices. The high proof delivers a mouth-coating richness that carries black pepper and warm honey through the mid-palate, with each sip revealing slightly different emphasis.
Finish
Long and warming, with slow-building waves of cinnamon, leather, and a lingering rye kick that fades gradually into toasted grain and a whisper of dark chocolate.
- Mash Bill
- 63% Corn, 27% Rye, 10% Malted Barley
Cocktail Suggestion
Cocktail — The Slow Old Fashioned: Combine 2 oz Old Grand-Dad 114, 1 bar spoon demerara syrup, 2 dashes Angostura bitters, and 1 dash orange bitters over a large ice cube. Stir gently for thirty seconds — the high proof means this cocktail will evolve in the glass as the ice slowly dilutes, revealing new layers over twenty minutes.
Food Pairing
Pair with: Smoked brisket with a brown sugar and black pepper bark — the caramelized meat crust mirrors the bourbon's charred oak and brown spice, while the fat tempers the proof.
Be the first to comment.
Leave a comment
Yellowstone Limited Edition 2024 Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Yellowstone
This limited edition blend leverages the contrast between younger high-rye punch and the deep, integrated wood character of its older components. The result is a bourbon that showcases char-level influence without becoming tannic. A compelling study in what extended barrel contact can achieve.
Calumet Farm 8 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Calumet Farm
A polished, approachable bourbon that lets eight years of Kentucky heat do the talking. The oak influence is present but restrained, with enough sweetness and spice to hold interest. A solid daily drinker that punches well above its price.
Stellum Lyra Single Barrel Cask Strength Bourbon Whiskey
Stellum
Stellum's single barrel program lets the cask do the talking, and this bottling delivers a bourbon where every sip reflects the depth of its barrel interaction. The high proof carries tremendous flavor density without bitterness. A serious sipper that rewards patience.
Old Bardstown Estate Bottled Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Old Bardstown
Old Bardstown Estate delivers Willett's pot-still character in an approachable, no-nonsense package. It rewards attention without demanding ceremony — a bourbon that respects both the craft and the drinker. Hard to beat at this price.