Age Statements

[Big Chipper]

Most quality bourbons have some sort of age statements listed on the bottle. There are a few however that don't. Does anyone know the generally accepted age of OGD 114, Buffalo Trace, and Maker's Mark? Just curious...

[FlashPuppy]

There is no generally accepted age for some of these bourbons. They are blended with other barrels which include many ages. Remember, just because a bourbon has an age on it, that is not neccesarily the age, merely the age of the youngest in the blend. A single barrel bourbon with an age on it, is the age of the bourbon inside. Hope this helps.

[TNbourbon]

Don't know about Old Grand-Dad, but Ken Weber has said Buffalo Trace is 8-9 years old, and Maker's Mark openly tells visitors that, while judged by taste, barrels are generally around 6 years old when batched.

[Big Chipper]

Don't know about Old Grand-Dad, but Ken Weber has said Buffalo Trace is 8-9 years old, and Maker's Mark openly tells visitors that, while judged by taste, barrels are generally around 6 years old when batched.

Cool...that's the kind of answer I was hoping for. Thanks!

[cowdery]

Grand-Dad is probably five or six years old.

[CrispyCritter]

As far as OGD goes, I prefer 114 for sipping, but the BIB version makes absolutely superb Manhattans.

What gets my goat, though, is that OGD in any form gets almost zero promotion. :hot: If you punch "Old Grand-Dad" into Google, you won't get an official site. :hot:

[BobA]

I've sometimes wondered if the OGD 114 gets a little 8 year old whisky that was intended for BH, whose sales may not support what was earlier set aside. If so, it may be the only current example of a "lower price" bottling getting a "higher price" infusion. Whatever, it works for me.

And not to turn this into a OGD thread, but the BIB is also my favorite mixer for Manhattans, and generally good to have on hand for ginger ale, etc. Very useful in your private bar. I've sometimes worried that the lack of OGD promotion shows a tenuous commitment on JB's part to the brand, but they keep carting it out, and I imagine they will as long as folks keep buying it. I try to do my share, and I guess we should just enjoy the "under the radar" prices; they could try to move the 114 to "small batch" country.

Bob

[cowdery]

When Beam first acquired Grand-Dad they did a little bit of promotion for it. I know, because I did it. They found that it didn't really move the needle, at least not enough to justify the cost.

No, it wasn't because my promotions weren't any good. It's because, at least at that time (almost 20 years ago now) the brand was selling to a loyal consumer base but wasn't picking up any new drinkers. Since then, the industry has found that, contrary to some other packaged goods categories where it's usually more cost-effective to relaunch an existing brand than it is to create an entirely new brand, younger spirits consumers have been quicker to adopt new bourbon brands that seem more tailored to them (e.g., Knob Creek, Woodford Reserve, Bulleit) than they have been to adopt existing brands, even when they get a little spruce-up.

Even Wild Turkey, where the 101 holds its own, created Russell's Reserve for the Knob/Woodford/Bulleit set.

What works in Old Grand-Dad's favor is that it still commands a pretty decent price. It hasn't been discounted to death (another reason why they don't promote it through deals) so it's fairly profitable. As long as it stays that way, is able to support its distribution and sell for a good profit, Beam will keep it around.