Whiskey Wednesday ~ Old Grand Dad 114

I imagine just about everyone has heard of Old Grand Dad Whiskey, after all it’s one of the top ten (by volume) selling straight bourbons in the world. Old Grand Dad Whiskey has been in continuous production since the original distillery was founded all the way back in 1840. It survived prohibition by being one of just six distilleries to be granted a federal license to produce medicinal whiskey. Did you know the man that introduced it, Raymond Hayden, named it after his Grand Dad?  Basil Haden Sr. is one of the pioneers of whiskey and it’s his face that’s displayed on the bottle.

This is the Old Grand Dad 114, which is their high proof option and my favorite.

By the Numbers:

Where does it come from? Jim Beam’s Clermont, KY Distillery. 

How strong is it? Well it says it right on the bottle. 114 Proof

What’s it made of?  63% Corn, 27% Rye, 10% Barley

How old? There is No Age Statement (NAS) on the bottle, but it’s believed to be 4-5 years old.

How much does it cost? It’s under $20 which is cheap for a high proof fantastic bourbon.

Tasting Notes:

Color: dark amber

Nose: you can tell immediately the proof is formidable as the ethanol is obvious. But once you’re past that and you let it open up a few minutes you get fresh tobacco, cinnamon, rye bread and faint leather notes. 

Taste: this is a high rye so you immediately get that pepper taste from the rye, some cinnamon, vanilla, and way in the back some orange peel and burnt sugar. It has a long dry finish that tastes of oak char. 

This is one of those bottles that I can’t believe is sub $20 and well worth being on your shelf. 

Cheers,

The Wise Guy