Old Grand-Dad Bonded Bourbon

Nose: The familiar fruity nose, punctuated with licorice and orange peel. Palate: The licorice and orange peel dance together, followed by a big, fantastic black pepper crescendo, finally fading into a raisiny finish with a warm Kentucky hug. This already impressive bottle is greatly improving after sitting on the shelf. Don’t sleep on this bourbon.

Whenever I taste Old Grand-Dad I get annoyed because I think of the overpriced Basil Hayden 10-year which could have been a phenomenal release at 100 proof. Instead they kept it at 80. This is probably my favorite OGD offering. There is nothing wrong with the 114, but for my palate this is the best proof for the high rye Beam recipe, which is also in Basil Hayden. Nose: very approachable and balanced with hints of honey, peppercorn, spruce tree, cinnamon, mint, vanilla and corn and some malty notes as well. Palate: quite rich for a $20 bourbon. More honey, caramel, brown sugar, and then some oak, a nice cinnamon and nutmeg rush on the middle palate. Finish: medium finish, quite nice for a “bottom-shelf” bottle. This continues to be one of the best values on the shelf. There really isn’t much you can say that’s negative. Great winter/Christmas bourbon in my opinion.

always has been a staple. I’m playing the new Assassin’s Creed Vikings game and it tastes immersive. Taste profile is pretty much just booze

Coconut, vanilla, oak. Good. Great nose.