Whiskey Review/Tasting: Old Grand Dad 114

Physical Whisky Characteristics

Origin: Kentucky, USA.
Type: Kentucky Straight Bourbon.
Distillation and Maturation Process: As a Kentucky Straight Bourbon, it adheres to specific legal requirements, including no added coloring, ensuring a natural product. The whiskey is cask strength, indicating it's bottled from the cask without dilution, offering a higher alcohol content.
Age Statement: Not specified in the transcript.
Color and Clarity: The natural color is implied due to the absence of artificial coloring, but specific descriptions of color and clarity are not provided.
Bottle Design: The bottle features an image of the "Old Granddad," who is Basil Hayden. It has a notably large cork and bottle opening, which the host points out as the biggest he's seen, suggesting caution when pouring.

Balance of Flavors: The whiskey presents a complex balance between sweetness, spiciness, and oakiness. Initially, it suggests a fruity and sweet profile, which dramatically shifts upon tasting.
Unique Characteristics: The whiskey has a high alcohol content (57% ABV or 114 proof) but doesn't overwhelm with alcohol burn as expected. It starts with a strong spicy note, including pepper and cloves, and transitions to a smoother, silky touch, leaving an oak finish that's distinct but not overly bitter.
Comparison: The oakiness is compared to European whiskies, noting that the American oak used here is less bitter.

Basil Hayden: The "Old Granddad" depicted on the bottle is Basil Hayden, a renowned distiller and the name behind Basil Hayden's whiskey, another product within the Jim Beam portfolio.
Prohibition Era: Old Granddad was one of the brands that successfully navigated the Prohibition era by being sold as a medicinal product, similar to how medicinal marijuana is regulated in some U.S. states today.

The whiskey's Kentucky origin is significant, as it's a region synonymous with bourbon production. The adherence to the "Kentucky Straight Bourbon" designation underscores its authenticity and quality, rooted in strict legal standards.

"That's the biggest hole that I've ever seen in a bottle of whiskey."
"The cask strength, the alcohol burn doesn't hit you as hard."
"Incredible. Now, I'm left with the oak. Not as bitter as I know it from some European whiskies, but American oak."

Old Grand Dad 114 is a high-proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon with a natural color and a bottle design featuring Basil Hayden.
It offers a complex flavor profile that balances sweetness, spiciness, and a smooth oak finish, with a notable shift from fruity to spicy and oaky notes upon tasting.
The whiskey has historical significance, having navigated the Prohibition era by being sold as medicinal whiskey.
The expert opinion highlights the whiskey's unique bottle design, the manageable alcohol burn despite its high proof, and the distinctive but not overly bitter American oak finish.

For Bourbon Enthusiasts: Those with a preference for high-proof, complex bourbons will appreciate the depth and the shift in flavor profile.
For History Buffs: Individuals interested in the historical aspects of whiskey, particularly Prohibition-era stories, will find the backstory of Old Grand Dad 114 intriguing.
For Adventurous Drinkers: Drinkers looking to explore cask strength whiskies without an overwhelming alcohol burn might find this bourbon a good entry point.