Old Grand-Dad 100 Proof Bonded Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (1L)

This high-rye, 100-proof Bourbon features a brown-sugar aroma and bold, mouthwatering notes of cocoa, hazelnut and toffee, finishing long. Smoother than a high-proof whiskey might be expected to be, it holds up to dilution, still showing lots of flavor even with branchwater added. Launched with new orange-and-green label in January 2015. *Best Buy, #11 Top 100 Spirits of 2015* (KN) (7/2015)

The new packaging of Old Grand-Dad doesn’t say bottled in bond, but only “bonded.” At first look, the impression is not good. The straw color makes me think it’s young. Then grains burst out of the glass with a hint of mint. Is this repackaged young whiskey? Then, to my surprise, an explosion. Baking spices, freshly baked bread, and cinnamon roll bring this whiskey home. I’d love to taste it after a few more years in the barrel, but it’s mighty tasty as it is now. (FM, Spring 2016)