Review: Old Grand-Dad Bonded Bourbon 7 Years Old
The Old Grand-Dad brand is on quite a tear of late. Following a luxe 16 year old expression comes a new Old Grand-Dad Bonded Bourbon, this one billed at 7 years of age. (This is not to be confused with the older OGD Bonded, which carries no age statement).
As the start of a new annually released expression, you’ll notice with the seasons of distillation and bottling listed on the front label. (This inaugural release: Distilled Spring 2018, bottled Spring 2025.) That detail is a critical part of the Bottled-in-Bond Act, as bonded whiskeys can’t be a blend of multiple years or even seasons of production.
And so, we dive into Episode 1 of Old Grand-Dad’s new Bonded Bourbon, 7 years old.
Old Grand-Dad Bonded Bourbon 7 Years Old Review
I have to say, I really liked this whiskey. The nose is pretty classic Beam, but with some added sweetness layered in. Roasted peanuts hit the nose first, but ample caramel and vanilla overlay the nutty elements to create a really soothing and engaging entree, touched with clove-heavy baking spices, a little anise, and a modest dark chocolate character. It’s rounded and complex and a little oaky-tannic, which is helpful at keeping the whiskey from becoming blown out with sugar.
The palate finds more nuance than you’d think. The peanut fades into the background and a fruity character comes into focus — blackberry, particularly, then some more spice. It’s sweeter here, with cinnamon layering atop a character closer to hazelnuts and almonds, both well-toasted. Enduringly fruity as it develops, the whiskey eventually develops notes of red apples dipped in caramel, more chocolate (milk this time), and a slightly doughy finish that complements all that’s come before.
At $39 this is a huge bargain for a high-grade 7 year old bourbon of which I have consumed far more than I can readily admit.
100 proof.
A / $39
The post Review: Old Grand-Dad Bonded Bourbon 7 Years Old appeared first on Drinkhacker: The Insider’s Guide to Good Drinking.