I have always liked Old Grand Dad Bourbon. The Bottled-in-Bond has long been a favorite and the 114 expression is also an excellent bottle. I was excited to see Jim Beam release a sixteen year old expression this year and when I found out that Costco had it available, I had to have a bottle. At $180.00 a bottle, I was concerned whether it would be worth it, but it is a limited release and sixteen years old, so I took the chance. I was not disappointed. It is an excellent whiskey and Matt was totally in agreement. That is why we made it our “Whiskey of the Month” for November 2024. Matt and I sat down and tasted it and here are our tasting notes.

Old Grand Dad 16 Year Old Bourbon

Proof: 100

Age: Sixteen Years Old

Nose:

  • Mike: Vanilla, caramel, cherries, baking spices and oak wood.
  • Matt: Vanilla, caramel, corn, raisins and oak wood.

Taste:

  • Mike: Caramel, cherries, cinnamon, nutmeg and sweet oak wood. Tasted with a dried cranberry brings raspberries and ginger spice to the party. Tasted with a pecan and rich caramel toffee and chocolate come forward.
  • Matt: Caramel, corn, raisins, baking spices and sweet oak wood. The dried cranberry added a note of bananas. The pecan added a note of chocolate.

Finish:

  • Mike: Medium long with sweet oak wood and spice. The dried cranberry made the finish longer with sweet oak wood and ginger. The pecan made the finish very long with oak wood and cinnamon.
  • Matt: Medium long with sweet oak wood, raisins and baking spices. The dried cranberry made the finish longer with oak wood, baking spices and caramel. The pecan made the finish very long with oak wood, baking spices and chocolate.

I would pair this fine Bourbon with one of my favorite cigars – a Padron 1964 Anniversary Series Maduro cigar. I think the vanilla, tobacco and cedar spice in the smoke would complement the caramel and spice of the Bourbon.

Photos Courtesy of Rosemary Miller