Old Grand-Dad is a brand of high-rye* bourbon whiskey distilled at the Jim Beam Plant in Clermont, Kentucky. It has been around since 1840 and because of it’s long history it has long been referenced in popular culture – from John Steinbeck in “Travels with Charley”,  Raymond Chandler, Ian Fleming, George Thorogood, Lynyrd Skynyrd and, of course, Charles Bukowski. Right up to Mad Men and Bad Santa.
The whiskey we chose was the higher strength “Bonded” version, which means it is distilled in the same year, from the named distillery and must be at least four years old and bottled at 100-proof. They are usually great value for money.
Sat outside for this one, with barbecue at hand.

*Several sources on the internet say the mash-bill is 63% Corn, 27% Rye and 10% Malted Barley.

https://www.theoldswhiskeys.com/

Cost: £35
75cl/ 50% abv

Tasting Notes*

Nose: Dark sweets like caramel and butterscotch followed by waves of vanilla, caramelized fruit, spice, oak and raw grain. A touch of citrus waxiness hides in the background. Quite robust – with corn, vanilla and spicy rye, as well as some floral notes and a little mint.

Palate: Caramel, oak, spice and vanilla make the bulk of the flavor with light notes of white pepper and leather coming up towards the end. Spices, especially clove, and a touch of oak. A bit muted compared to the nose, but still quite nice all-around. Hot and woody.

Finish: Surprisingly light and easy finish. Caramel, oak, spice, vanilla and a light bit of grain. Fruity rye and hot leather.

*Tasting notes from us, The Whiskey Jug and MoM,

Good article here about Bonded Whiskeys and why they are the best deal in booze.

Packaging

Plastic screw cap.

Verdict

Spicier and drier than we were expecting it did, perhaps, suffer from our high expectations. Certainly, the Mellow Corn was a surprisingly drinkable cheap and cheerful bonded whiskey and we expected more of the same from this. Still a fine dram, but for us it was a little disappointing… so few whiskies are Mellow Corn.