Old Grand-Dad 114 is a high-proof bourbon from the Jim Beam Corporation with a mash bill that features a notable 27% rye content. As bourbon enthusiasts, we decided to give this expression a fair shake, especially since it's the highest-proof offering in the Old Grand-Dad lineup. After trying the 80-proof and Bottled-in-Bond expressions in the past (to less-than-stellar results), we approached this review with some skepticism but a willingness to find the appeal others rave about.
With its 114 proof, this bourbon promises intensity, and its $30 price tag positions it as a budget-friendly option among high-proof whiskeys. But does it deliver on taste and complexity? Here's our take, presented in dialogue form, straight from our tasting session.
This review is taken from our episode "Double Indemnity / Old Grand-Dad 114." Click the link to listen to this review in audio format.
The Nose
Bob: "Honestly, I didn’t think this had much of a nose to it. There’s a huge blast of ethanol right off the bat. Beyond that, I got some spice—typical bourbon or rye spices—but it leaned sour, almost like rye bread or yeast. It smells raw and rustic, like freshly milled grain, but not in a particularly pleasant way. It’s just not satisfying."
Brad: "It’s very alcohol-forward. Once you push past the ethanol, there’s some vanilla, rye spiciness, and an almost musty, hay-like quality. It doesn’t have much depth or richness, though, which is surprising for a whiskey at this proof. Even the color doesn’t look very deep compared to similar whiskeys."
- Bob’s score: 5/10
- Brad’s score: 4/10
The Taste
Brad: "Wow, Bob. That’s a whiskey. It’s ethanol on the tip of my tongue, ethanol in the middle, and ethanol as it goes down my throat. There’s a faint corn sweetness, but overall, it’s dominated by alcohol. There’s no complexity here."
Bob: "Totally agree. This whiskey falls into the category of high-rye, unsweet, grainy bourbons, and I just don’t enjoy that profile. It’s thin for a 114-proof whiskey, with little spice and a persistent sourness, like sourdough or yeast. I gave it time to open up, and after five minutes, there was a hint of sugar, but not enough to redeem it."
Brad: "I’ve had enough barrel-proof whiskeys to know what to expect, and this doesn’t deliver. Even as I swished it around and tried to coax out notes, the ethanol overwhelmed everything else. It’s just not enjoyable."
- Bob’s score: 4/10
- Brad’s score: 3/10
The Finish
Bob: "For the finish, the only word I wrote down was ethanol. There’s no lingering flavor, just a harsh burn going down. It feels like they simply added more grain alcohol to bump up the proof without adding complexity or depth."
Brad: "Exactly. It’s harsh and unbalanced, and I don’t get why this whiskey is so popular. The burn is prominent, but there’s no payoff in terms of flavor or richness."
- Bob’s score: 4/10
- Brad’s score: 3/10
The Balance
Bob: "I guess you could argue it’s balanced because it consistently smells, tastes, and finishes with ethanol, corn, and a bit of spice. But that’s not a balance worth celebrating. It’s a 4/10 for me."
Brad: "I agree. It’s not off-balance, but it doesn’t offer anything compelling. I’ll give it a 5/10 for effort."
The Value
Bob: "At $30, Old Grand-Dad 114 isn’t an exorbitant purchase. But honestly, there are far better options at or below this price point. Weller Special Reserve, Elijah Craig, Knob Creek—there’s a plethora of whiskeys I’d recommend over this. The bottle looks great, but that’s not enough. I’m giving it a 3/10."
Brad: "I’m with you, Bob. For $30, you can find some fantastic options, even in the Jim Beam lineup. I’d rather drink something from our Springtime of Swill series than buy this again. 3/10 for value."
Final Scores
When we tallied up the scores, both of us landed at a 19/50, well below the threshold for a recommendation.
Conclusion
Old Grand-Dad 114 might be a favorite for some, but it didn’t work for us. Its harsh alcohol-forward profile and lack of complexity left us underwhelmed. For us, a score of 35/50 is the line where we’d recommend trying a pour at a bar or considering a bottle purchase. A 40/50 is great, and a 45/50 is excellent. At 19/50, Old Grand-Dad 114 falls far below those marks.
If you’re a fan of high-rye bourbons with a rustic profile, this might be worth exploring. Otherwise, we’d steer you toward other budget-friendly options. And if you’re one of the many who love this whiskey, we’d love to hear why—let us know what we’re missing!
