Which Grand-dad do you prefer?

[Rughi]

Some of the Beam 114's are awesome, but there's a lot of batch to batch variation. Luckily, I think Beam is on a roll more often than not in recent years.

Which reminds me, time for a new 114.

[SBOmarc]

I went out and bought one today! Ooops..that's another thread.

[tmckenzie]

I agree on that. Beam considerably changed to that grassier, lighter-bodied character sometime in the late '80s, I think.

Funny, if I were to compare it, I would have said that '70s Beam reminded me of '70s Forester: the heavier body, the brown sugars and especially the rummy sweetness.

Come to think of it, it seems to me that Beam and Forester both changed from similar profiles - at about the same time - to similarly lightened and less perfumy house styles. Maybe it was the raising of still/barrel proofs in the mid-80s that changed both of them, as Mike Veach has suggested of Forester.

Roger

I think it could be that the were trying to reduce ec levels which I have read were a problem that came to light then. I do not know a whole lot about ec, but Chuck could probably fill in the blanks.

[T Comp]

I agree on that. Beam considerably changed to that grassier, lighter-bodied character sometime in the late '80s, I think.

Funny, if I were to compare it, I would have said that '70s Beam reminded me of '70s Forester: the heavier body, the brown sugars and especially the rummy sweetness.

Come to think of it, it seems to me that Beam and Forester both changed from similar profiles - at about the same time - to similarly lightened and less perfumy house styles. Maybe it was the raising of still/barrel proofs in the mid-80s that changed both of them, as Mike Veach has suggested of Forester.

Roger

[Enoch]

Todays Old Taylor and Old Crow taste like Jim Beam White only 6 (OT) and 3 (OC) years old. The place I get the ND OGD also has ND OT 86 proof and ND OC 4 years and 6 years. Both are excellent pours. And it is still priced with the sticker that was put on the bottle when it came into the store. They don't use UPC only a cash box.

[Enoch]

ALso, Does anyone know how long the current and ND OGDs are/were aged? Is there a difference.

[White Dog]

The ND OGD 86 handles I've found were better than any Beam releases, IMHO.

That being said, I'm a 114 man. Love the stuff and it's $21.99 in my parts. Can't beat that.:cool: (My last couple bottles of BIB tasted a bit "new-makey" to me.)

FWIW, 114 is the only Beam product I'll spend my money on, unless I'm stuck in one of the many bars/restaurants that only stock Beam. :rolleyes:

As I said in a poorly stocked bar last Friday, "Gimme a Maker's neat, just so I can hate on it."

[Parkersback]

114 is the only Beam product I'll spend my money on, unless I'm stuck in one of the many bars/restaurants that only stock Beam. :rolleyes:

As I said in a poorly stocked bar last Friday, "Gimme a Maker's neat, just so I can hate on it."

The next time that happens, consider giving Bakers or Knob Creek a shot. You might be pleasantly surprised.

Or maybe not. But my last few pours of Bakers were syrupy sweet and warm, good stuff.

[SMOWK]

My last couple bottles of BIB tasted a bit "new-makey" to me.

So I'm not the only one. Take that Squire! :cool: The bottles released in the past 6 months to a year have been odd to me. I've been frequenting a different store than usual to buy my 1.75 OGDBIBs. If only because they still have orange tops on them. Maybe the orange top is like a placebo..?? Who knows. But the point is, I think it's different, so it is.

[squire]

Alright, alright, I'll give the 114 another dance, if I don't like the clumsy cork I can always decant it into a BIB bottle.

[White Dog]

The next time that happens, consider giving Bakers or Knob Creek a shot. You might be pleasantly surprised.

Or maybe not. But my last few pours of Bakers were syrupy sweet and warm, good stuff.

I've had every Beam product multiple times. I do think that Baker's is the best of the "Small Batch" series. (The batch is so small it's on every back-bar in America. :lol:)

[squire]

An exclusive batch perhaps, only those with a checkbook can stock it.

[Bourbon Boiler]

I had my first 114 last night, and I have to admit I wasn't a huge fan. I just didn't get a lot of complexity. Granted, I'd had a few Eagle Rare 10 yo before I opened the bottle, so my pallate wasn't at its sharpest and I tasted the proof increase more than anything else. I'll give it another shot in a few days, but I had hoped for a little more complexity. It's not like it was horrible, I would just rather spend another $5-$10 and go elsewhere.

[bad_scientist]

I've read in this thread that old OGDs had some butterscotch notes. I only have 2 "dusties" - an '88 Old Forester and '92 OF Prime - and they both have butterscotch notes, even though they don't exactly share much else in their profiles. I haven't tasted this with any other bourbon I've tried. I wonder - is this partly bottle aging, or something about the "old" way of making whiskey, or just a coincidence?

BTW, I am in love with OGD BIB. I had it for the first time last week and found it to be absolutely delicious. That thick rye note in it just hit the spot. Is that also in the ND bottlings?

[mosugoji64]

I had my first 114 last night, and I have to admit I wasn't a huge fan. I just didn't get a lot of complexity. Granted, I'd had a few Eagle Rare 10 yo before I opened the bottle, so my pallate wasn't at its sharpest and I tasted the proof increase more than anything else. I'll give it another shot in a few days, but I had hoped for a little more complexity. It's not like it was horrible, I would just rather spend another $5-$10 and go elsewhere.

Definitely give it another visit. That one has become a favorite of mine and of a friend (who previously hated everything Beam!). It's one of the great bargains in bourbon IMO. :grin:

[T Comp]

I've read in this thread that old OGDs had some butterscotch notes. I only have 2 "dusties" - an '88 Old Forester and '92 OF Prime - and they both have butterscotch notes, even though they don't exactly share much else in their profiles. I haven't tasted this with any other bourbon I've tried. I wonder - is this partly bottle aging, or something about the "old" way of making whiskey, or just a coincidence?

That '88 Old Forester (especially if BIB from DSP 414) should have a lot of rum taste to it also. Numerous posts here and theories as to taste difference of dusties. Glut barrelled bourbon in the '70s and '80s created much longer aging plus there was often lower distilling and entry proof. Many other variables including whiskey makers own manipulation too.

[Flyfish]

Some of the Beam 114's are awesome, but there's a lot of batch to batch variation. Luckily, I think Beam is on a roll more often than not in recent years.

Which reminds me, time for a new 114.

How are you tracking the "batch to batch variation"? Every bottle I have seen claims to be "Lot 1."

[kyrocklover]

I prefer a 2 part BIB 1 part 114 blend. Changes the proof to about 105 but seems to hit a taste profile that I really like. Straight up I like the BIB better.

I have a half full handle of BIB in a bottle dated 1988 that is overbalanced with citrus in the nose that you can smell across the room. Combined with the rye spice and long finish it is absolutely my favorite bottle of bourbon I currently have in stock. I look forward to the day when I find another similar one so I can enjoy it more often.

Nice topic.

[bad_scientist]

That '88 Old Forester (especially if BIB from DSP 414) should have a lot of rum taste to it also. Numerous posts here and theories as to taste difference of dusties. Glut barrelled bourbon in the '70s and '80s created much longer aging plus there was often lower distilling and entry proof. Many other variables including whiskey makers own manipulation too.

Oh yeah, rum is a big part of it. Just had some and got that big time.

Happy Halloween weekend everyone! I can't think of a better pour than OGD and that crazy orange label for this occasion!

[ThomasH]

OGD 114 is available about 45 minutes from here while BIB is available 2 miles from here. It I'm in the area and my supply is low, I get 114, otherwise I drink BIB!

Thomas

[spy247]

BIB is my favourite. The 114 gets respect also.

[StraightNoChaser]

Maybe the OGD connoisseurs can help me decide if it's worth picking up some old bottles I saw! One was a 1.75L of OGB86 8yr with a faux strip on the cap. Said Frankfort on the bottle. Also saw a couple bonded OGD with Frankfort on the bottle (DSPKY14 I think). Would these be worth getting? Always been interested in old school OGD...

[Josh]

Maybe the OGD connoisseurs can help me decide if it's worth picking up some old bottles I saw! One was a 1.75L of OGB86 8yr with a faux strip on the cap. Said Frankfort on the bottle. Also saw a couple bonded OGD with Frankfort on the bottle (DSPKY14 I think). Would these be worth getting? Always been interested in old school OGD...

[StraightNoChaser]

Guess I will have to go back for 'em next time I'm in that part of town

[Parkersback]

Guess I will have to go back for 'em next time I'm in that part of town