Old Grand-Dad 114 Single Barrel Bourbon
The Stats
- Distillery: James B. Beam Distilling Co.
- Location: Clermont, Kentucky
- Brand: Old Grand-Dad
- Type: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
- Style: Single Barrel
- Proof: 114 Proof
- Mash Bill: 63% Corn, 27% Rye, and 10% Malted Barley
- Age: 7 Years
- Release: Limited Release
- MSRP: $50
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When Old Grand-Dad started showing up on shelves with age statements again, bourbon fans paid attention. First came the 7-Year Bonded, a bottle that quietly became one of the best values in bourbon. Now comes the next step in that evolution: OGD 114 Single Barrel. No major launch campaign. No limited-release chaos. It just appeared.
That alone makes this release interesting. “Single Barrel” usually comes with certain expectations, especially when attached to a bottle that already has a loyal following. The question is whether this is truly a step up from the standard OGD 114 or simply the same high-rye bourbon dressed up in black-and-gold packaging.
At 114 proof with a 7-year age statement, this release immediately feels more intentional than a typical shelf extension. It builds on the foundation of the original OGD 114 while adding the kind of maturity and barrel variation fans have wanted from the lineup for years.
A Single Barrel That Finally Gives OGD More Depth
Old Grand-Dad has always lived in an interesting space within the Jim Beam lineup. The standard 114 is known for proof and punch, but sometimes leans more toward heat than complexity. The 7-Year Bonded brought more balance and depth to the profile. This bottle feels like a combination of both.
The high-rye mash bill still delivers the spice and intensity people expect from OGD, but the additional age helps round it out. There’s more oak presence here, more sweetness underneath the spice, and a profile that feels fuller and more layered overall. It still drinks bold, though.
This is not a soft or subtle bourbon. The spice shows up quickly, the flavors hit hard up front, and the proof keeps the experience lively from start to finish.
Tasting Notes
Aroma
The nose opens with caramel, baking spice, and a wave of roasted peanut shells that immediately screams Jim Beam. Oak is more noticeable than expected, bringing a dry woodiness that balances the sweeter notes. With time, more complexity shows up: peanut brittle, mint, citrus peel, and a touch of ethanol that reminds you this is still a 114-proof bourbon.
Taste
The palate leads with rich caramel sweetness before shifting quickly into peppery rye spice and cinnamon heat. Notes of Payday candy bar, vanilla cream, roasted peanuts, and a subtle mint character create a profile that feels both classic and slightly more refined than standard OGD 114. The sweetness keeps the spice from becoming overpowering, while the proof gives everything extra intensity and texture.
Finish
The finish is shorter than expected but still satisfying. Pepper, oak, and lingering baking spice hang around while the sweeter caramel and peanut notes slowly fade. It doesn’t evolve endlessly, but what it delivers up front is bold, flavorful, and memorable.
Artfully Bourbon Rating
8 / 10 - Very Good
OGD 114 Single Barrel feels like the version of Old Grand-Dad many bourbon fans hoped existed all along. It takes the familiar high-rye Beam profile and adds more maturity, balance, and a little more personality without losing the boldness that made OGD 114 popular in the first place.
For around $50, this is one of the more compelling value bottles currently on shelves, especially for drinkers who already enjoy Beam's peanut-and-spice profile. More importantly, it feels like proof that Old Grand-Dad still has room to grow.
If this lineup eventually gets a properly aged 10 or 12-year version, things could get very interesting. Until then, OGD 114 Single Barrel already feels like a meaningful step forward and a bottle we’d gladly keep on the shelf.
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Product Features
Museum-grade archival matte paper
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Solid wood frame in Black
Lightweight plexiglass front
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Care Instructions
If dust collects, gently wipe with a clean, dry cloth. Avoid moisture.
