Old Grand-Dad 7 Year Bottled In Bond Bourbon
The Stats
- Distillery: James B. Beam Distilling Co.
- Location: Clermont, KY
- Type: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
- Age: 7 Years
- Proof: 100 (50% ALC/VOL)
- Mash Bill: 63% Corn, 27% Rye, 10% Malted Barley
- Distillation Season: Fall 2018
- Release: Annual
- Price: $40
Old Grand-Dad has never really been about chasing hype. It has built its reputation on being affordable, flavorful, and a little rough around the edges in a way that bourbon drinkers tend to appreciate. So when Beam brought back an age-stated Old Grand-Dad at seven years old, 100 proof, and right around $40, it immediately made sense to us.
And after spending some time with it, that is pretty much what this bottle turned out to be.
Old Grand-Dad 7 Year Bottled-in-Bond didn't blow us away. But it is an enjoyable, straightforward bourbon that is easy to pour on a weeknight, works really well in a cocktail, and delivers enough flavor to keep things interesting.
The Whiskey Behind the Bottle
Old Grand-Dad 7 Year Bottled-in-Bond comes from the James B. Beam Distilling Co. in Clermont, Kentucky.
The expression debuted in 2025 and is now being released annually, with each edition coming from a single distillation season. The 2026 release was distilled and barreled in Fall 2018 and aged for at least seven years before being bottled at the required Bottled-in-Bond proof of 100.
It uses Old Grand-Dad's familiar high-rye bourbon recipe: 63% corn, 27% rye, and 10% malted barley. That larger dose of rye has always helped separate Old Grand-Dad from some of Beam's sweeter bourbons, bringing a little more cinnamon, pepper, and spice into the mix.
At around $40, this also lands in a pretty interesting spot. You are getting a seven-year age statement, 100 proof, and a well-established Kentucky bourbon recipe without moving into premium pricing.
Tasting Notes
Aroma
Classic bourbon right away. Caramel, vanilla, toasted oak, cinnamon, and a little nuttiness, with some orange peel and brown sugar underneath. Familiar, balanced, and easy to like.
Taste
Caramel and vanilla lead, followed by toasted nuts, char, and brown sugar. Then the rye shows up with cinnamon, pepper, and baking spice. The 100 proof gives it enough weight without making it feel hot or aggressive. Simple, but solid.
Finish
Cinnamon, pepper, dry oak, and nuttiness carry through the finish. It is moderately long, a little dry at the end, and stays very much in that classic Beam lane.
Artfully Bourbon Rating
6.5 / 10 - Above Average
Old Grand-Dad 7 Year is one of those bottles where the score probably tells only part of the story. There is nothing especially exciting or unusual about it. You are getting caramel, vanilla, oak, nuts, cinnamon, and rye spice in a package that feels very much like classic Beam bourbon.
But that also makes it incredibly easy to understand. At 100 proof, it has enough backbone to drink neat. At seven years old, it has enough oak and maturity to add depth. And at around $40, you don't have to think hard about pouring it.
We enjoyed it. We just didn't find much here that pushed it beyond a solid everyday bourbon.
Buy or Skip:
Buy
At around $40, Old Grand-Dad 7 Year is an easy bottle for us to recommend. It is a solid daily sipper, and the 100 proof and rye spice make it a great cocktail option, too. It also feels like the kind of bottle you throw in the bag for a camping trip or pour by the fire at the end of the night. Nothing precious. Just a good bourbon in the right setting.
There might be more complex bourbons at this price, but if you want a dependable seven-year Bottled-in-Bond bourbon that is easy to pour and easy to enjoy, this does the job.
Where Does It Rank?
Every whiskey we review is scored using the same 10-point scale, making it easy to compare bottles across styles, distilleries, and price points. Explore our complete whiskey rankings to see how every bottle stacks up.
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Made for early starts and late pours.
The AB Camp Mug is lightweight, durable, and ready for coffee by the fire, whiskey at camp, or whatever the day calls for. Its enamel finish keeps the look classic, while the 12 oz. size makes it easy to pack, carry, and use just about anywhere.
Simple. Rugged. Made to go.
Details
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12 oz. capacity
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Stainless steel core with enamel finish
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Lightweight construction
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Rounded edges for comfortable sipping
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Lead- and BPA-free
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Not microwave-safe
Care
Hand wash only.
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