Old Grand Dad 114?

[DJCRLS]

I was just wondering how many of you have tried old grand dad 114 and what your thoughts were. It's barrel proof, and inexpensive (for a barrel proof bourbon) so i wanted to give it a try. Also, i am planning on pickingup a bottle of evan williams single barrel. I love the regular black label and it's an incredible value for the quality your getting. Plus the single barrel is a TRUE single barrel, and i've heard good things. Just looking for some feedback on both ofthem. Thanks

[TNbourbon]

Although at one time barrel proof was around 114 -- and the original OGD 114 was at barrel strength for awhile -- the current issue (while a very old bottling might be) isn't barrel proof, just always 114 proof (it would be pretty hard to get every batch to come in at 114 without any dilution).

Old Grand-Dad is the one brand Jim Beam has treated gently from the portfolio it got from National Distillers back in '87. They've adopted the same grain bill (also used for Basil Hayden's), and the same bottlings -- 86, 100/BIB, and the 114.

The best are very rich with fruit (orange, in particular) and spice, and have great mouthfeel. For some reason, personally, I seem to like OGD bottles, at whichever proof, after they've been open awhile, and a couple of inches have been poured off the top.

[dhineline]

I am biased because OGD BIB is one of my favorites, but I really like the OGD 114. I introduced a friend of mine to the BIB a few weeks ago and he liked it so I broke out the 114 for him this weekend. He said he liked it, but he is a scotch/irish whiskey drinker and I think the strength was too much for him.

I like it for the same reason I like the BIB, it's taste profile is so different from my other bourbons. I have several bourbons that I wouldn't necessarily know what I was drinking if someone poured me a glass and didn't tell me what it was. However, I can take a sip of OGD and I know it is OGD.

You should definitely try it for the price, if you don't like it you haven't lost much, if you love it you have found a great bargain.

[texascarl]

I like the taste, esp. as a 'sunset watching' drink. It's also my 'backpacking' bourbon. 4 oz of 114 ~ 6 oz of 80 proof. I'd rather pack high proof whusk than cut the handle off my toothbrush to save 2 oz.

[spun_cookie]

The new version of the OGD 114 does not do it for me, but a couple weeks ago I opened a late 70s version (tax stamp) and it was great. As I understand all of teh "old label" versions are better..

[nor02lei]

I like it a lot, but it is an odd stile of bourbon to me. Dry, spicy and lots of citrus down under.

Leif

[ratcheer]

OGD 114 is, in my opinion, one of the very best bourbons you can get. It is just a bonus that it has not been very expensive. It has qualities and flavors that put it in a league with Blanton's.

Easily in my top ten, maybe even top five.

Tim

[New2Whiskey]

... I seem to like OGD bottles, at whichever proof, after they've been open awhile, and a couple of inches have been poured off the top.

I am new to whiskey and spirits. But what I've noticed from all my tastings is this very point. It seems to my taste that they always taste better after the few initial pours. Same goes for cognac and other spirits. Is there a reason for this?

[Gillman]

The likely answer is that certain compounds in the spirit become volatile after opening, and they lift off. Presumably, harsher-tasting ones leave first, or more of them than pleasing-tasting ones. At some point though the process must stabilize since many of us here have sampled decades-old bottlings which tasted pretty good. The average seal is not tight enough to prevent evaporation and a small amount of loss is usually evident after some decades, yet often the spirit tastes like it should. Maybe this occurs where the bottle is full so relatively few compounds (higher alcohols, aldehydes, etc.) leave in the result. Sometimes though the taste seems off after many years, and perhaps there the process continued for certain reasons long after it ceased all utility from the drinker's standpoint. Maybe the bottle was stored in a hot environment for example, hastening departure of liquid from the neck. There is perhaps a scientifically predictable sweet spot but most bourbon is consumed quickly and the question therefore is really academic. In practice, peoppe keep the bottles for a time, and that is enough to show improvement.

Gary

[chilidawg7]

OGD 114 is one of my favorites. I can enjoy it neat on a nice, cool evening or mixed with Cola when at a social function. At around $24 a bottle, it is definitely worth the price, IMO

[wildcatdon]

Count me in for liking this one a lot...Very good taste..You will enjoy it.

[jburlowski]

Simply one of the best... and a good value as well.

[cas]

I bought a bottle a few months ago and just don't care for it. It sits next to the Old Pogue on my shelf - a couple bottles that I'm not very excited about. Though I find it an interesting comparison sometimes to try them alongside of my favorites.

Craig

[TBoner]

The last local shop that sold this dirt cheap finally caught on: they've bumped the price above $20...to $21.99.:cool: Still the best damn value in all of whisk(e)y IMO.

[shyster512]

After reading this thread, I bought a bottle today and am now enjoying my first drink of it. With the small nose, I was surprised to find the big taste. I will drink a few more glasses before I make my final decision.

[Isoflex]

OGD 114 is one bourbon I always have on hand. I agree it is a GREAT value. I also like the Evan Williams vintage bottling. You can't go wrong with either one IMHO. When I tell people the proof of OGD 114 they always expect a really kick in the mouth and are usually surprised at how mellow it is for the proof. Good stuff.

[shyster512]

Having completed the 114 bottle, it is a memorable drink and I will purchase it again. Definitely a should try drink!

[55bill]

OGD114 is one of our favorites that we reserve, neat, for Saturday evenings. Great legs, and a pleasing citrus/caramel flavor in nice balance with the rye spiciness. This is one of the outstanding mid-shelf selections that make it difficult to fork over more jingle for the upper shelf offerings. Old gramps, head of the bourbon family!

[smokinjoe]

A terrific bourbon. Factor in the price, and it's even better. OGD 114 is my favorite Beam product. I always get that "slightly burnt corner of the brownies in the pan" nose and taste from it, which I find D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S!

Go ahead and pick it up. I think you'll enjoy it.

Cheers!

JOE

[nor02lei]

OGD 114 is my favorite Beam product.

JOE

Main to for sure!

Leif

[mythrenegade]

I love OGD 114. It's a great bargain, and a very good bourbon. One of the great things about bourbon is that you don't have to spend a fortune for great products. Elmer T Lee, OGD 114, and Eagle Rare 10yo come to mind as well priced excellent bourbons. There are many more, but those are the ones that jumped out while I was typing this :-)

Joel

[Potbanger]

The two bottles I have are from the same store and are listed as "Lot A" on the rear... does this mean anything?

[Luna56]

It's been a mighty long time since I've had OGD114, I may have to give it another try. I drank it only occasionally, way back in my early twenties, before I knew anything at all about bourbon. It'll be nice to revisit this one with a fresh perspective.

Cheers!

[drli]

TheStraight Bourbon Of The Month thread for OGD 114 has alot of info. That would be a great place for information on this offering.

I personally dont like any of the OGD offerings, because to me, they seems to give me a headache the morning after.

[polyamnesia]

It's been a mighty long time since I've had OGD114, I may have to give it another try. I drank it only occasionally, way back in my early twenties, before I knew anything at all about bourbon. It'll be nice to revisit this one with a fresh perspective.

Cheers!

certainly worth it....i actually was turned off by the BIB version last year...then, as noted here, it got better after being open awhile...

then i tried the 114 a few weeks ago...that bottle didn't last a week and it was great right from the first sip!

at 20.99, it is perhaps the best bargain around.

went back today and (due to the continued financial downturn) turned down a chance to get the 114...and bought the BIB again at 14.99...not as fiery and sophisticated as the 114, but, still, what a steal!

no matter what, GET THE OGD 114! it's simply stellar.:bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown: