Old Granddad Bottled in Bond Bourbon Review
Introduction
In this review, we revisited Old Granddad Bottled in Bond—a bourbon that has a storied history and a Bottled in Bond designation. This particular label guarantees that the bourbon meets strict criteria: it's aged for at least four years, bottled at precisely 100 proof (50% ABV), comes from one distiller and one distillery season, and is housed in a government-bonded warehouse. Originally created to ensure quality during the late 19th century, the designation has evolved into more of a tradition in today’s whiskey world.
Old Granddad Bottled in Bond is part of a family of bourbons we’ve explored on the podcast before. While our experience with its younger sibling, Old Granddad 80 Proof, was underwhelming, this version came highly recommended by enthusiasts. Priced at around $21 for a 750mL bottle in Ohio, it’s positioned as an affordable option in the Bottled in Bond category. But is it worth your time and money?
Let’s break it down, category by category, and see how this whiskey fares.
Nose
Bob: "On the nose, I’m getting this weird combination of some really great deep, dark bourbony notes, with caramel reminiscent of Elijah Craig. But there’s also this layer of harsh spices—like black pepper—and a top note of citrus that leans into a kind of unpleasant, sour lemon pledge territory. It’s not harmonious, and it detracts from the richness of those bourbon notes. I’m giving this a 5/10."
Brad: "For me, the nose has some interesting floral notes—like lavender—with a touch of spice. It’s intriguing but doesn’t blow me away. I’ll give it a 6/10."
Taste
Brad: "On the front of the palate, I pick up a little vanilla and caramel. But as it lingers, the taste becomes sour and old, almost like biting into a piece of leather. I’ll give this a 4/10."
Bob: "It starts promisingly with orange peel and honey on the front, but when it hits the back of your palate, it takes a turn. That initial sweetness gets overwhelmed by bitterness, astringency, and harsh alcohol burn. The transition is jarring—it’s like drinking two completely different whiskeys. I’m giving it a 4.5/10."
Finish
Bob: "This whiskey’s finish is where it really struggles. The harsh alcohol burn and bitter citrus notes linger in an unpleasant way. For a 100-proof bourbon, I expect the flavors to be more integrated, but this is just harsh and unrefined. I’m giving it a 4/10."
Brad: "I completely agree. The finish leaves an unpleasant taste in your mouth. It’s astringent, bitter, and offers no redeeming qualities to balance out the burn. I’m also giving it a 4/10."
Balance
Bob: "The balance is disappointing. The nose sets up some intriguing notes, but the taste and finish fail to deliver on that promise. The transitions are clunky, and the overall experience feels disjointed. I’m giving it a 5/10."
Brad: "Balance is where this whiskey falls apart for me. The vanilla on the front and the bitter citrus on the back clash, and there’s no harmony between the components. I’m going with a 4/10."
Value
Bob: "At $21, this might seem like a budget-friendly Bottled in Bond bourbon, but it just doesn’t deliver. There are far better options in this price range—like Benchmark or even other budget bourbons. The higher proof doesn’t mean better flavor here. I’m giving it a 4/10."
Brad: "For a Bottled in Bond bourbon at this price, it should be better. I can’t justify recommending this when there are so many other affordable, better options out there. I’m also giving it a 4/10."
Final Scores
Bob: 22.5/50
Brad: 21/50
With an average score of 21.75/50, Old Granddad Bottled in Bond lands well below our recommendation threshold. While the Bottled in Bond label gives it some historical allure, the whiskey inside the bottle doesn’t live up to expectations.
Conclusion
We usually recommend trying a pour at a bar or picking up a bottle when a whiskey scores around 35/50. Unfortunately, at 21.75/50, this one falls far short. If you’re looking for an affordable Bottled in Bond bourbon, there are much better options available. Old Granddad Bottled in Bond may appeal to die-hard whiskey enthusiasts looking to "catch ‘em all," but for most drinkers, we’d suggest saving your money.
Next week, we’ll be reviewing Old Granddad 114—fingers crossed for a better experience!
