OGD 114-poor man's Booker?

[Dave43]

Are the mashbills significantly different? Most bookers is 7 years and 128 proof...OGD is 6-8 from what I understand and only around 14 proof lower.

[393foureyedfox]

I like both, but find them nothing alike. Different mashbills, different proofs, somewhat similar ages, and different target profiles. I prefer the Booker's well above the OGD114, but it's also twice the price, at least. That said, I still prefer the Booker's.

OGD and Basil Hayden is one mashbill, Booker's is the same mashbill as Jim Beam, Knob Creek, and several others. I dont know the percentages, but I'm pretty sure OGD is higher rye

"only" 14 proof points? while many people may not notice 4-6 proof points in difference, nearly everyone will notice 14 points.

Drink up!

[PaulO]

How do Bookers and Knob Single Barrel compare in taste? KCSB is 9 years old 120 proof, same mash bill.

[squire]

At close to 30% (accounts vary, 27-28-29%) Old Grand Dad has about twice as much rye as the standard Beam Bourbon recipe (accounts vary as to that also) and uses a different yeast so, yes, they're horses for courses, but that was purpose designed to keep the OGD profile. Beam didn't do that with Old Taylor or Old Crow (brands acquired at the same time as OGD) but they were direct competitors with regular Beam whereas OGD had a separate established market segment.

[squire]

How do Bookers and Knob Single Barrel compare in taste? KCSB is 9 years old 120 proof, same mash bill.

For me Knob Creek has a richer flavor than Bookers and I suspect that's due to barrel selections.

[amg]

How do Bookers and Knob Single Barrel compare in taste? KCSB is 9 years old 120 proof, same mash bill.

I've never do a side-by-side comparison, but I think KCSB has a bit more oak and spice to it, whereas Bookers is sweeter and hides its proof a little better IIRC.

[GaryT]

I've never do a side-by-side comparison, but I think KCSB has a bit more oak and spice to it, whereas Bookers is sweeter and hides its proof a little better IIRC.

+1 - never done the SBS but my recollection is spot on with Andrew's.

[TunnelTiger]

Back to the original OP I'd sooner pay $50 for a bottle of OGD114 than $25 for a bottle of Bookers.

But I'm just an old fart so what do I know.

[tanstaafl2]

At close to 30% (accounts vary, 27-28-29%) Old Grand Dad has about twice as much rye as the standard Beam Bourbon recipe (accounts vary as to that also) and uses a different yeast so, yes, they're horses for courses, but that was purpose designed to keep the OGD profile. Beam didn't do that with Old Taylor or Old Crow (brands acquired at the same time as OGD) but they were direct competitors with regular Beam whereas OGD had a separate established market segment.

Rumors seem to circulate of late that OGD has also finally been subjected to the almighty Beam yeast rather than its own yeast as had been the case in the past. Can't find any solid confirmation of that and it isn't a regular enough pour for me to say if that is the case or not.

[bad_scientist]

Rumors seem to circulate of late that OGD has also finally been subjected to the almighty Beam yeast rather than its own yeast as had been the case in the past. Can't find any solid confirmation of that and it isn't a regular enough pour for me to say if that is the case or not.

If that indeed is/was the case, it might have been an experiment and not a permanent change. My last bottle wasn't nearly as Beam-y as the past couple were.

[smokinjoe]

...I'd sooner pay $50 for a bottle of OGD114 than $25 for a bottle of Bookers.

Cleverly expressed TT, and is how I feel on the subject, myself.

:toast:

[T Comp]

I've never do a side-by-side comparison, but I think KCSB has a bit more oak and spice to it, whereas Bookers is sweeter and hides its proof a little better IIRC.

[mbroo5880i]

Cleverly expressed TT, and is how I feel on the subject, myself.

:toast:

[cowdery]

The real 'poor man's Booker's' is Jim Beam Black Label. Really depends on how much water you take. If you drink Booker's neat, nothing else will really do. Knob, although it's the same liquid, has a quite different taste profile and, of course, the price is about the same as Knob when you consider the proof difference.

[393foureyedfox]

the KC profile is a bit different. I like KC just fine, and love Booker's, but do NOT enjoy booker's with any ice or water. I find JBB and Bookers about as different as OGDBIB and the 114 version....worlds apart. Funny how proof can change the whole profile. I love booker's, but I dont think Id take a JBB if offered it for free. go figure...

[black mamba]

I did a SBS just seven months back, found here: http://www.straightbourbon.com/forums/showthread.php?21909-Bookers-v-KCSB-v-Blends

[fusion210]

I've bought 4 bottles of OGD114 and loved every one, my only bottle of KC was a KC single barrel reserve kentucky straight bourbon whiskey small batch aged nine years too many words. As my first foray with Knob Creek, and thinking it might be kind of a rarer item, this was my buy. Man, it was just char. Not oaky, not spicy, no weird banana bread comparisons or things you might have eaten once every five years and someone dug them out of a thesaurus, it was just overpowering and bad. Like eating burnt toast bad. Burnt steak bad. Like spending $50 on something that might be special and it can't even be mixed bad. I might try KC again later down the road, but it won't be for a very long time.

As far as the yeast funk, all my OGD bottles have been new. I could taste it clearly in the BiB, but not the 114. I love finding the 114 with the box, I think it makes for a great gift for under $25.

[Eggman]

Howdy,

FWIW, I prefer JBB to KC. I've never had the pleasure of trying Booker's. KC SB is fantastic, though.

[r60slash5]

I like OGD 114, but I have had some Bookers I found exceptionally tasty. OGD114 is not readily available here.

Ted