Old Grand Dad Bourbon Whisky, 70 cl

Product Information

There is an initial astringency that takes a second to blow off. Once it does there is a classic bourbon profile of caramel and vanilla that is paired with some honey, brown butter, and bruleed bananas. A very light fruit runs underneath the whole nose with a bit of fresh corn keeping it company. Because it is made from an entirely different mash bill than other products from the two distilleries, one or both facilities likely switch over to production runs of the ‘Old Grand-Dad’ recipe for several weeks or months of each distilling season based on the company’s production and sales goals. While this is certainly not required by law, it would help the company capitalize on efficiencies within the system. One interesting note from this period: For a few years during Prohibition, Old Grand-Dad was distilled and distributed as a Canadian whiskey. Along with bargains, hidden gems remain a scarcity in the bourbon hunting world. But while many cult favorites have seen their prices double and even quadruple in recent years, one brand has remained firmly rooted to the bottom shelf at the liquor store. This, despite the fact it is revered by both bartenders and whiskey collectors, and uses the exact same mash bill as a more expensive, better-known bourbon.

Today, Old Grand-Dad and the Basil Hayden’s brand with the same namesake are both produced by Beam Suntory. But as you’ll see in our subsequent sections, these two bourbons have special privileges compared to other legacy brands from the company. Mashbill During its more than 100-year history, Old Grand-Dad has seen several ownership changes and has been produced at multiple distilleries. Throughout that time, the brand has been continually available to American drinkers. 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. Imagine an ecosystem where the cooker is continually grinding in new grain, heating it according to recipe specs before it cools, yeast is pitched and the liquid transferred to fermenters for about five days. Then, terminal beer is alternately pumped into the beer still, then the spirit still and clear new make or white dog bourbon is collected out of the spout. It is also mentioned in the Hank Williams, Jr. song "Women I've Never Had": "I like sweet young things and Old Grand-Dad, and I like to have women I've never had".Australian producers Vanda & Young recorded an album titled "Tales of Old Grand-Dad" with future AC/DC guitarists Angus and Malcolm Young under the alias "Marcus Hook Roll Band". 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. It’s a little strong and numbing. I’ve had 100 proof whiskey that is a bit smoother ( Wild Turkey 101), but it’s still incredibly drinkable. A splash of water will calm things down a bit without sacrificing any flavor so if you’re finding it a bit unruly give that a go.

In Raymond Chandler's 1953 novel, The Long Goodbye, the main protagonist, detective Philip Marlowe, offers Old Grand-Dad to his friend Terry Lennox after he arrives at Marlowe's apartment despondent and with a gun. 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. This is significant when considering these two brands are the only bourbons that diverge from the Jim Beam mash bill of 75 percent corn, 13 percent rye and 12 percent malted barley 1. 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. 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.

Old Grand-Dad was once prescribed by doctors.

Like a rising tide, we’ve watched bourbon’s prices climb with many new releases, but less so with existing brands. This is true of Old Grand-Dad, which has maintained low prices across the brand. Old Grand-Dad has a mash bill of 63 percent corn, 27 percent rye and 10 percent malted barley. Old Grand-Dad shares this grain bill with stablemate Basil Hayden. 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". 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." He knows how much you care, but why not show him through a personalised gift? You can add a personalised message or his name to a gift that he’ll love and keep for years to come. Whether it’s a personalised spirit level if he likes getting hands-on or putting his name on a tumbler for drinking his favourite tipple, choose a truly unique gift for him. For more inspiration, see our full range of personalised gifts. Foodie Gifts for Grandad

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 Notes

The fictional character Morgan Kane, from the book series of the same name, always drank Old Grand-Dad if it was available and took a bottle or three with him most of the times he had to venture too far from a liquor store or a bar to his liking. On The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Lou offers Mary Old Grand-Dad at a party; Mary mistakenly assumes he's referring to her 68-year-old date.