BOTM, 1/07: Old Grand Dad BIB

[jeff]

Let's begin the new year by expanding on last month's BOTM. This month we're going to be talking about OGD BIB. Considered by many to be one of the best bourbon values available, OGD BIB packs a lot of flavor at only a slightly lower proof. Feel free to compare/contrast it with its premium counterpart, or with older, pre-Beam iterations. What do you have to say about this month's BOTM: Old Grand Dad BIB?

Sound off

[TNbourbon]

Jeff, the versions I have of each both are from National Distillers -- the BIB distilled in 1970 and bottled at 7 years old, the 114 from the early-'80s, thus distilled in the mid-'70s.
I'm surprised at the age of the BIB, but it gives it a color virtually identical to the 114. The nose is more forward on the lower-proof version, but deeper and richer -- displaying more caramel and orange -- in the 114. Neither is 'spirit-y', but the BIB shows more of the rye-grain characteristic in its aroma.
The BIB arrives on the palate with lively rye spice, followed by a blast of heat, smoothing into mostly-sweet-with-a-tinge-of-bitterness orange-peel theme. The clean-ending finish is relatively short, but retains the orange theme.
The rye grain that arrives on the front of the BIB oddly waits until the finish in this 114 version, competing with the orange. The entry and mid-palate consists mostly of the buttery (though prickly) caramel. It is a more refined drink than the BIB -- with more emphatic flavors mixing it up in greater conflict -- but not necessarily more complex. The theme remains orange/rye grain/touch of caramel. The finish is somewhat longer in the 114 (call it 'medium'), but leaves a bit of a butteriness across the palate.
While these will never be confused with complex, 'upper-shelf' bourbons, they are a far cry from the bottom shelf, too.

[Edward_call_me_Ed]

The other day I noticed that my OGD BIB was getting a little low, so I looked for the back up bottle that I thought I had and found that was the bottle I was drinking from. Yikes! I ordered a bottle and it is supposed to arrive today.

Ed

[Mike R]

My bottle has only a pour or two left, I really like this one. I have not tried the 114 though so I am unable to compare it to last months BOTM, but from TNbourbons review I will get a bottle of each.

MikeR

[FlashPuppy]

I think that this is an extremely high value pour. I am a huge fan of this particular bourbon, especially the DSP 14 stuff. Whenever I am at a bar, I look for this. It is a pleasent surprise when they have it.

[SBOmarc]

I always have this and the OG86 on my bar. This current bottle has remained untouched for over a year.

Thanks for giving me a nudge.

[T47]

I really enjoy OGD 114, this is my first taste of the OGD BIB. Very nice nose, for me a little orange peel and dried fruit, a hint of caramel. Nice smooth taste...definitely rye, a little oily maybe. Not the heat of the 114, a clean finish that lasted me a pleasant time.
I am glad I like this...I couldn’t find the .75 so I bought the 1.75 Liter bottle (my sacrifice to try and keep up with the BOTM). Money well spent. This will bring many nice pours my way.

[nickynick]

Had my first pour of this last week and my second last night. The first thing I notice was the nose on this pour. Wow! I felt like there was a lot going on there. I felt a nice warming effect. This seemed like a nice winter pour. Has to be one of the best I have had under 20 bucks.

[BobA]

This and the 114 are real favorites of mine. The BIB was a regular before I had the 114, and I while now reach for the 114 more, the BIB is my standard for cocktail experimentation. Thanks to this thread for reminding me just how wonderful it is as a neat pour as well. Maybe because of the lower proof, I usually get a little more citrus upfront with the BIB, and a nice, but limited, amount of oiliness. I think this bourbon is wonderfully balanced among the tastes it brings, with a peppery rye sensation usually standing just a little more forward. The earthy nature of rye is there too, but last night that was more apparent in the 114.

I've often said that the BIB or WT 101 would be my choice if stocking a single bourbon for company. The BIB makes a splendid Manhattan or Old Fashion, the rye and proof assert themselves nicely with ginger ale, and it's cheap enough that someone who just dumps it into Coke can go ahead and have at it. But anyone who thinks of it only as a mixer is missing a lot; it will reward contemplative sipping as much as any bourbon in its price range, or notably higher. And at about $5 less than the WT 101, the main drawback to the BIB being the "bourbon for all purposes" is that the WT carries more snob appeal, but I actually like the "low rent" look of the orange label and cap.

Bob

[Old Lamplighter]

My first time trying the BIB and it is very good. Definitely not as rich or complex as the 114 - which I have enjoyed for some time now. Still, very good choice and a bottle that needs to be kept on hand at all times in my opinion.