Review #: 440
Description: Old Grand-Dad (1988)
Spirit: Bourbon
Background: This bottle comes to us from just after the purchase of National Distiller’s by the Beam Distilling Company. This was distilled at DSP-KY-14 which is the Old Grand-Dad distillery in Frankfort, so likely still to be ND whiskey that was bottled. No age statement and minimum proof, let’s go back in time.
Distillery – National Distillers
Bottler – Jim Beam
Brand – Old Grand Dad
Selection – N/A
ABV – 40%
Age – NAS
Nose – Fruity with cherries and red apple, caramel and candy corn, buttered skillet cornbread and smoldering campfire coals. This is the complete package. I could smell this all day and not get bored.
Taste – Strawberries, raspberry syrup, vanilla, light caramel. It has this lovely buttery, oily texture that is so rare to find at lower proofs. It’s just sweet enough too
Finish – Oak turns the experience more to dark chocolate, charcoal, roasted corn. A bit short, but at 80 proof, it stands up
Score: 7
Would I buy a bottle? I’m sure today’s prices are ridiculous. It’s a great experience though
Thoughts: One of the best noses on a whiskey I’ve had, and the bright fruit is great. The texture is something that I really enjoy and you just don’t get with bottom shelfers today, especially at 80 proof. This sample came via a bottle purchased in Japan for a very reasonable price, but if you are looking at auctions, there’s good modern bottlings available for cheaper that make it hard to recommend dropping the cash. But if you can find a bar with a reasonable price, it can be worth a look into the past, at least once.