Old Grand-Dad 7 Year Bottled in Bond (Spring 2018)

OGD BIB 7 (Spring 18) (Skip this part to get right to the review) Interesting (to me anyway) thing happened while out having dinner at a restaurant known for one of the largest whiskey selections in the state. I was trying to decide what to have and came across “The Poor Man’s Flight” for $10. One ounce each of JW Dant, 4 Roses Yellow, and the standard issue OGDBIB. I thought 3oz of whiskey for $10 was probably the best deal in the place, so that’s what I ordered. My wife and daughter wanted a sip of each (probably negating some of that value) and both made the yuck face for the JWD & the 4RYL, but thought the OGDBIB was the best and “smoothest” despite the 100 proof. So, entering the ABC store, I had OGDBIB at the forefront of my mind. Lo and behold, they had just gotten this in. *NOSE: Dry Slightly Musty Oak, Vanilla Spiced Cake, Cinnamon, Cocoa Powder, Candied Orange Peel, & Leather. Very Good. *NEAT: WOW! Oak, Vanilla, Black Licorice, Black & White Pepper, Cinnamon, Orange Peel. A hint of Mustiness. Slightly Tannic on a Long’ish Finish with the Licorice note building. Nice KYHug. *SPLASH: Some water really turns up the Vanilla and Oak Spice. Some Bubblegum & Mint. Lots of Cinnamon on the finish. I’m betting this will be great over a large rock (it was, I’m already 1/3 way into the bottle). *VERDICT: Saw this by chance today and had to pick up a couple. It did not disappoint, especially considering its $40 price tag. A more traditional profile than the other new 7YR BIB I recently gave good reviews to (Bulleit), but about $15 less. Limited release, but I’m sure it will be released once or twice a year (one for each distilling season). If it’s available where you are, I heartily recommend it. 4.25⭐️

Color: Medium Copper Amber Nose: Strawberry! I've NEVER gotten "strawberry" from any bottle before. Wow! But not just that — it's very "berry" in general... plus "oak" and "brown sugar". Palate: (Drank with a large ice ball) Sweet and spicy. Moderate chest hug right off the bat. Lots of oak. More berries on the palate. I've had OG 80 Proof, 100 Proof BiB, and 114 Proof. This one is unlike those in that tastes very unique to me, in general. Second pour reveals much of the same berry-fest. It's like a combo of "fresh" berries and Nestle Quik Strawberry milk powder. As the ice dillutes, cocoa powder makes an appearance. Nothing complex about this juice, but it's damn good! Finish: Fairly long finish with baking spices and some oaky-cinnamon. Final Thoughts: I've been looking for this bottle since July, but I've not been able to locate it anywhere here in Southern California. So, before heading to Florida for the holidays, I researched the local Total Wines and saw it in-stock near where I was going to be staying. Lucked out and grabbed the last bottle on the shelf. If we ever finally get it out here, I'm definitely buying it again. 4.25 stars!

The nose starts off fruity mixed with oak, with earthy notes and touches of leather and smoke, with touches of baking spices, vanilla and hints of toffee in the background. Comes across as quite impressive with a good buildup to take a sip. The palate opens up with a slight burst of baking spices alongside the fruity in Okie note, as vanilla smoothness quickly rolls in to balance everything out. It's got a bit of a richness to it as well I have some chewiness, as each chew brings out oak and spice. Overall, this is very straightforward and very delicious. It's an incredible value at $40 for 7-year-old Old Grand-Dad and one that shouldn't be missed. The finish is medium with the oak and spice trying to hang on, as it fades to slight touches of the fruitiness along with dark chocolate.

Comes short when you start comparing it to other good whiskeys. Just enough age gives it a nice oak background, with sweet flavors and baking spices, maybe even nutshells, mingling. Elijah Craig PGA edition made it taste sour and cheap in comparison.

Nose: ethanol, dried fruit as apricot and vanilla Taste: dried fruit as apricot, vanilla, a hint of nuts, sweet and spicy. Taste like a whisky sour cocktail

A nice addition to the Old Grand Dad line! Mint and bright fruits on the nose that carry over to the palate. Nice value buy!