Appearance

The appearance of the Old Grand-Dad 114 is a rich red mahogany. It’s quite honestly a pleasure to just look at in the Glencairn.

Aroma

Be careful with nosing this bourbon. Up a bit too close to the glass, the bourbon is assertive in letting you know the alcohol bite. Immediately, I get quite a bit of rye spice and associated heat. Further, notes of spicy cinnamon, caramelized sugar and bright citrus.

Flavor

It’s quite frankly difficult to find easily identifiable flavors wading through the intense alcohol bite and rye spice. Some brown sugar and citrus fruits can be found but it’s namely a rye spice and alcohol bite type of explosion.

Balance

Similar to how I feel about the flavor notes, the balance is not quite there given how much alcoholic punch and rye spice is present in the bourbon. This puts a fairly heavy mask over softer notes.

Finish

The finish is bold and upfront. Fairly lengthy finish with a spicy, yet sugary cinnamon, rye spice with a hint of baking spices. Even after multiple sips, the bourbon does not let down on the powerful boldness.

Overall

Given, at times, the overwhelming alcohol heat and rye spice on the nose and palate of the Old Grand-Dad 114, it’s hard to find much else, needing to dig pretty deep. So in terms of the amount of enjoyment I got out of this bourbon, it was decent/average. The value proposition however is huge. It is increasingly difficult to find a ~$30 MSRP high proof bourbon on the market nowadays. In the event you find one, it’s still worth picking up to taste the more affordable high proofer in the market.

Jiunn Liu

SCORE

5.50

Cost/Point

$5.45

Scoring System

Personal Spirit Review: Old Grand-Dad 114