“The superior man thinks all the time of advantage; the widespread man thinks of consolation.” – Confucius
Here at Malt we have now at instances been inculpated with fees of magniloquence; I’m positive I’ve earned my justifiable share of such indictments. On the coronary heart of what we do is easy: we inform. We intention to raised educate you, expensive reader, whether or not you search in any capability to take our suggestions and diversified opinions severely or not. I believe a hope persists that you simply’ll not less than go away right here figuring out greater than you probably did whenever you started any of our evaluations.
As a result of it’s our aim to tell, typically, these makes an attempt can at instances be scattershot, leading to tangential anecdotes rife with private affectations. Like tenured professors, we might at instances fall sufferer to entertaining ourselves slightly than educating you, the parents who deserve the entire credit score for making our each passing pontification imply something in any respect. If you happen to, as I do, subscribe to the notion that it’s the viewers that provides artwork that means, then some would argue that we miss the mark in not remaining steadfast to prosaic profiles of quotidian expressions.
These in that faculty of thought have my understanding, and so I’d like to increase an olive department. Regardless of dalliances with unicorn bottles, the likes of which have made even our editor-in-chief envious, I relish the chance to talk plainly in regards to the easy-to-buy, on a regular basis choices that the overwhelming majority of us bourbon lovers have expertise with.
Immediately is one such event, as I’ll be throwing most of my Romantic impulses to the wind in favor of taking a Parnassian tack. In eschewing whimsy and choosing relative austerity I hope we will participate in probably the most sacred custom that exists within the human expertise of imbibing… that’s to say: I hope we will share. Immediately I’d wish to share a love of available and affordably priced bourbon.
With out stepping into the headier issues of what constitutes tutorial language, I’ll solid apart something that may (even speciously) look the half and degree with you: as a lot as I really like the written phrase, I really like Previous Grand-Dad 114. It’s good as hell. Not solely is it good as hell, I’m keen to wager you realize a number of liquor shops in your speedy neighborhood that inventory it and promote it for roughly three sawbucks.
Whereas commonplace Previous Grand-Dad usually goes missed, “OGD” Bonded and “OGD” 114 are each typically effectively regarded by those that love bourbon. Bearing the face of Basil Hayden (whose eponymous expression is equally beloved amongst a unique phase of the patron base) the so-called “previous grand-dad” the identify makes reference to, it’s these two expressions which might be continuously named among the many finest values in all of American whiskey. When contemplating the very best bourbons beneath $30, you’d be exhausting pressed to seek out two higher solutions beneath a single product line.
I not too long ago posed a query to my Twitter followers: you stroll right into a liquor retailer and see 1 liter of Previous Grand-Dad Bonded and a 750ml bottle of Previous Grand-Dad 114 each priced at $30, which do you purchase? It was a dilemma I discovered myself confronted with when contemplating what would make for a greater “backside shelf” assessment. The outcomes of that casual ballot – regardless of each receiving effusive reward from correspondents – overwhelmingly favored OGD 114, which brings us right here at this time.
I’ve to confess these outcomes made me smile as a result of, although the bottled in bond model is completely positive, OGD 114 is by far my private desire. Akin to consolation meals, or for some the consolation they get from plainspoken whiskey reviewers, I’ve all the time discovered OGD 114 to be a dependable possibility when monetary issues had been on the entrance of my thoughts. Moreover, as a result of it has virtues past its ease on the pockets, I really like that I can take consolation in one thing paradoxically each low-cost and comparatively wealthy.
With out additional ado, let’s dispense with the related specs: Previous Grand-Dad 114 clocks in at 114 proof (57% ABV) and is non-age acknowledged. As you’ll notice in the event you didn’t go to sleep in school throughout my rambling above, this expression carries an SRP of $30. Lastly, the mash invoice (which is taken into account “excessive rye”) consists of 63% corn, 27% rye, and 10% malted barley.
Previous Grand-Dad 114 – Assessment
Shade: An Arnold Palmer stability of amber and honey.
On the nostril: Contemporary flowers in a citrus dew greet the nostril at first earlier than Cracker Jack peanuts, moist bark, and caramel emerge. After swirling there’s an aroma of recent mint sprigs with just a little soapiness that’s just a little paying homage to aloe. Lastly, I detect the faintest odor of bacon fats and anise seed on the again finish. All in all, it’s a nostril that’s very evocative of a traditional high-rye mash invoice and one which smacks of the usual Jim Beam peanut-forward notice.
Within the mouth: A steely notice streaks down the center of the tongue because the peanuts and juicy orange notes from the nostril take middle stage. It will get just a little sweeter on repeat sips as there’s some custard that finds its manner on the again finish whereas brown sugar intensifies on the entrance and tip of the tongue. That stated, the triumvirate of mineral water, citrus, and Cracker Jacks are by no means displaced because the star of the present… which is a delight if that’s your jam, as it’s mine. The sip concludes, after a while, with a contact of recent leather-based (consider a brand-new baseball glove) to go along with the return of the floral notes from the nostril, the arrival of sentimental oak, and a little bit of mint tea. The mouthfeel is stout however not significantly noteworthy, versus the end, which is marked by peanuts, mint tea, and simply sufficient warmth to maintain me coming again for repeat sips.
Conclusions:
Taylor beforehand lined this 114 proof expression and the Previous Grand-Dad historical past nevertheless, as you doubtlessly know, everybody’s palate is completely different. Whereas his aversion to a excessive rye mash invoice is widespread and could also be extra according to your individual tastes, I sometimes really feel that the nuttiness of the Beam portfolio is correct up my alley. Due to that, I discover myself training Confucian filial piety and returning to Previous Grand-Dad 114 repeatedly for the truth that it delivers in spades with respect to “worth” contemplating its proof, traditional profile, and value.
I do suppose the nostril barely exceeds the palate, which isn’t as balanced as merchandise larger up within the Jim Beam portfolio, however Previous Grand-Dad 114 succeeds in almost all of its different goals. For the worth I don’t suppose anybody will likely be disillusioned after shopping for a bottle. Because of this, I’m inclined to award this an extra level for the pocket-friendly pricing.
