A little background

A label from Jim Beam, Old Grand-Dad is a high-rye straight bourbon whiskey. The bottle features a portrait of Basil Hayden, a distiller who reportedly used a high rye-mashbill, and the namesake for another Beam-Suntory product. Beam-Suntory uses the “Bonded” label instead of “Bottled-in-Bond” but rest-assured that it’s at least four years old and it bottled at exactly 100 proof. For around $25, this is one of the easiest high-rye bottles to find on the market today.

(Tasted neat from a Wide-Bowl Glencairn Glass)

Color

Straw

Nose

At first, punchy oak and a tiny bit of chili powder. After a moment in the glass, orange peel and rye spice are revealed.

Palate

Vanilla, and a soft caramel touch down first, with black pepper and citrus following once the entire tongue is covered.

Finish

A classic beam finish that includes peanut and oak, following by a note of rye spice. The finish is medium-long, with a tingle right up the center tongue that remains after the flavors are gone.

In closing

A pretty standard high-rye mash bill combines sweet bourbon flavors with more savory rye spices, followed up with the typical Beam finish. This might not appeal to folks who are rye-averse, but at $25 or less, it sure delivers a fair punch of flavor. The high-rye profile and 100 proof bring enough heat to cut through a cocktail as well.