OLD GRANDAD Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey 70cl Bottle

Product Information

AMS was absorbed in 1929 when National Distillers Products Corporation began actively acquiring brands towards the end of Prohibition. Jim Beam acquired National Distillers brands in 1987. In Robert P. Davis's 1976 novel The Pilot, Mike Hagen, the alcoholic airline pilot, keeps his (hidden) hip flask filled with Old Grand-Dad. The taste is where the Old Grand-Dad really shines. Caramel, vanilla, cinnamon, corn, nutmeg, and some pepper are the principle flavors. There are some very sweet dessert like qualities to this bourbon with candied nuts, cherries, and a hint of fruit. Adding water or ice enhances the caramel and vanilla while simultaneously bringing out some additional savory notes of brown butter and something that reminds me of sage. For example, the Jim beam Distillery has a 10,000-gallon cooker — or mash tun — and nearly 20 large-scale fermenters. The large column stills are fed through a continuous distillation system, where beer is fed to a beer still, collected and then fed into the spirit still or thumper. This type of system could ideally run indefinitely, although, in reality, it will shut down from time to time for maintenance and cleaning. In the episode "The Mihn Who Knew Too Much," of the show King of the Hill, Hank references this drink when someone deposits their garbage in his trashcan, remarking "We don't use canned milk, or drink Old Grand-Dad."

The nose is a bit un balanced, but the flavor and finish both have a nice symmetry to them. A full round body and a heavy warm mouthfeel compliment the rich character. One interesting note from this period: For a few years during Prohibition, Old Grand-Dad was distilled and distributed as a Canadian whiskey.

On the show The Wayans Bros, When a woman is giving birth in the diner, Pops asks for Shawn to bring some hot water, towels and half a pint of "Old Grand-Dad".

Old Grand-Dad and Basil Hayden’s are considered high-rye bourbons, where Jim Beam is often thought of as a traditional bourbon. This is in line with the historical perception of Old Grand-Dad, which was often written about as having contained a higher percentage of rye grain than whiskeys made at surrounding distilleries. The Old Grand-Dad brand was created by Raymond B. Hayden and named after his grandfather Meredith Basil Hayden, Sr. The bourbon has been in production since the 1800’s, including during Prohibition when it was produced by American Medicinal Spirits Co., a pharmaceutical company. The brand has changed ownership numerous times since it was originally created and is now owned by Beam Suntory and marketed as part of their “The Olds” Collection which also includes Old Overholt. Old Grand-Dad is currently released in three different bottling proofs: 80 (changed from 86 in 2013), 100, and 114. First produced in 1882, Old Grand-Dad was founded by Raymond B. Hayden, who named the brand after his grandfather, Basil Hayden Sr. A well-known distiller in his own right. Hayden Sr.’s name now adorns the label of another famous bourbon brand, but his portrait continues to look on from the label of OGD with a friendly smile. If you have tried the Old Grand-Dad bourbon let me know what you think in the comments below. Old Grand-Dad 100 Review Old Grand-Dad is one of the oldest and most storied brands on store shelves, but despite this, the brand seems to receive little fanfare among bourbon enthusiasts and very little marketing effort from current owner Beam Suntory. The higher 114 proof version was even rumored to be discontinued in 2017, though it still exists today and pops up in discussions from time to time.

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In the 1996 Canadian film, The Boys Club, the three boys, Kyle, Brad, Eric and Megan as well as Luke drink this.

The flavor contains more facets than the aroma and, like the nose, is nice and rich. Oak, caramel heavy dark sweets and dark fruit give way to, and mix with, notes of leather, hay, pepper and baking spices. A feathery light bit of vanilla comes and goes like a flash in the distance. According to modernthirst.com, Old Grand-Dad Bonded Bourbon uses a mash bill of 63% corn, 27% rye and 10% malted barley. That mash bill is identical to Basil Hayden’s bourbon’s mash bill. 27% is a lot of rye! For a frame of reference, Jim Beam’s line of bourbons and their offspring (Knob Creek, Booker’s, Baker’s) use only 13% rye (and 75% corn, 12% malted barley, if you were wondering?). Being a bottled-in-bond bourbon, Old Grand-Dad Bonded has to be at least 4 years old, and 100 proof. Other bourbons in the Old Grand-Dad line include 80 and 114 proof versions. Tasting NotesInterestingly, other legacy brands produced by the same parent company have not maintained their original mash bill recipes. The Old Crow brand also joined the Beam Suntory portfolio. But it is produced today using the same mash bill as the Jim Beam brand, despite Old Crow newspapers advertisements from 19th century described it as ‘Rye.’ Bourbon lovers of all stripes — from the ultra-premium high-roller to the value-loving loyalist — have a great deal of respect for this old whiskey. It fits into any bourbon collection and doesn’t seem out of place with brands that sell for two or three times the price. Of all “The Olds” Old Grand-Dad is my favorite and also happens to be one of the whiskeys I believe doesn’t get the respect that it deserves. Next time you’re hosting a blind bourbon tasting add this to your line up. You’ll be surprised how many of your fellow whiskey snobs will tell you they like it but might have turned their nose up if they had known what it was. Just goes to show that you can’t judge a whiskey by it’s bright orange label.