Old Grand-Dad 80 proof came into existence in 2013 when Beam decided to cut the 86 proof version down to 80 proof in order to stretch out how many bottles of whiskey they could get out of a barrel. If this doesn’t make much sense to you I’ll explain in the next paragraph. If it makes perfect sense to you then you might as well skip to the review.
When it comes to straight bourbon the only thing that can be added to it is water. When whiskey comes out of the barrel it’s sitting somewhere between 50-70+% ABV (100 – 140+ proof) depending on how long it’s been aging for and under what conditions. When bottled at full cask strength a barrel will yield between 180 – 230 bottles. When water is added it cuts the proof down, by adding to the total liquid volume, which in turn increases the number of bottles that can be sold per barrel of whiskey.
Old Grand-Dad 80 proof Info
Region: Kentucky, USA
Distiller: Jim Beam
Mashbill: 63% Corn, 27% Rye, 10% Malted Barley
Cask: New charred oak
Age: NAS
ABV: 40%
Price: $16
Old Grand-Dad 80 proof Review
EYE
Rusted Tang
NOSE
The aroma starts off with big notes of raw corn, vanilla and caramel which expand and fill the nose – leaving little room for the more subtle notes of citrus, dusty spice, watery fruit and strawberry Necco Wafers to appear. There is a vague woody underpinning that feels water logged.
PALATE
Dusty raw corn, vanilla and a watery caramel again dominate, but this time the bring a bit of spice with them. Some light notes of astringent wood, yeast and and a waxy citrus make a minimal impact.
FINISH
Medium and corn driven with light notes of vanilla, spice and wet wood.
BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
It doesn’t feel very well balanced, carries a thin watery body and a soft light texture that completes the “boring whiskey” picture.
OVERALL
Old Grand-Dad 80 proof is a light, airy and boring whiskey. Does it work as a sipper? Sure, but it’s not a very interesting one and only a few bucks more will get you the Old Grand-Dad BiB which is a much better whiskey. In a cocktail it’s not bad, but again OGD BiB works even better with the higher proof giving it a bolder presence in the drink. My honest opinion is that Beam should only put out the BiB, 114 and Basil Hayden when it comes to their OGD mashbill. Cut this one from the lineup and focus on the ones that have a bit of backbone to them.
SCORE: 76/100
Old Grand-Dad 80 proof Review - Score Breakdown
Value
Old Grand-Dad 80 proof is as boring as can be. Cough up the $5 extra bucks and get the Bonded version. It’s a much better whiskey.
Overall
- Nose - 76
- Palate - 76
- Finish - 76
- Balance, Body & Feel - 76
just tried it for the first time. it’s not bad at all. nothing offensive about it. nothing noteworthy about it, either. totally fine but totally boring.
yes, yes, of course i know i will be censored. duh.
Where to begin with this one… You know who you are and the name you originally used to post this comment. You also posted a follow up using the same name, so I know you’re coming back to see if you’re “censored”.
First off, if you spent more time reading and less time attempting to troll you’d see that I never “censor” comments that disagree with me. Taste is personal and this comment, as written, is entirely valid and I would actually agree with you that OGD seems to be on a bit of a decline, especially the 80. You posted a perfectly valid opinion.
Secondly, you seem like a sad person who sets themselves up to be “censored”. You posted this using a childish and offensive name (which I changed) and a childish and offensive fake email (which only I see, but also deleted because it’s stupid). If you had just simply said “Hey, I’m Tim and here are my honest thoughts on this” and did so in a mature and thoughtful way there would be no need to “censor” you. It’s all in your approach, you set yourself up and then immediately play the victim. That’s on you, not everyone else.
Lastly, if people delete your comments or mark you as spam or kick you out because you’re being an insecure, childish troll hiding behind a keyboard you’re not being censored. You got to say the stupid thing you wanted to say. It’s just that those who spam, delete, or kick you out don’t want to deal with your asinine behavior. And that’s not censorship, that’s just people not wanting to deal with you. That’s the consequence for behaving the way you do.
Freedom of speech does not mean freedom from consequence.
Good luck with the rest of your trolling, if you ever want to act like a mature adult and voice opinions without childish monikers and emails you’re always welcome to comment here. I never “censor” opinions, just delete assholes. Cheers.
I love the Old Grand-Dad line up, but have never had their 80 proof entry. Being that both the 80, BIB, and 114 all start at the same place (BIB and 114 older probably). Blending equal parts of 80 and 100 evectively gives you an 90 proof blend. Do you think that this blend might closely resemble the bottle of the old 86 which I “polished off” this evening?
Thanks, Jim
I think it would and it’s probably pretty tasty!
I’ve been looking all over for it.
Where’d you come up with that mashbill?
It’s the one that’s stated on a lot of other websites.
Josh I libe in Australia & have what I believe is old bottle of Old GrandadBourbon
If you provide email info I will send photos as I want to sell and would like idea on value please
Leighton Burns
Hi Leighton,
Please use the email address in the Contact section. Thanks!
You’re awful harsh on this. It’s a good, easy easy drinking bourbon that mixes well. Yeah it’s a little weak but sometimes you don’t need a lot of pop. Great bourbon to introduce someone to bourbon with and won’t scare them off. Sure there’s better but look at the price.
You’re right about the price for sure. Though I’d rather have the Four Roses Yellow for just a wee bit more, but to each their own. Cheers Bryan!
I’ve been drinking hundred-proof Grandad 4/50 years I am not happy but they don’t make it in half a gallon that anymore and how high the price when up but just like a woman when you’ve been with it that long it’s hard to give it up
Awful this 80 proof. I’m just getting Lemon and bitterness. The good batches I’ve had in bonded version a nice orange candy flavor and a kilm dried grain texture back palate. Same in 86 proof nation distillery old miniatures. I’ve had beam ogd 114 too and that had a nice ice cream and caramel flavor. Really disappointed. Cost my $60AU.I’m getting in rhum (never had) and cachaca next.
Yikes man, sorry you paid that much for it. When it comes to OGD I stick with the Bonded (100 proof) or the 114. Hope you got something good next!
It may not be a sipper, per se, but it’s a decent gulper. Call me crazy, but I really like this stuff. It’s decent neat. The high rye mashbill keeps it interesting, for what it is. Compared to other products at this price tier, I’d rate this a strong buy. My collection is wide, varied, and growing. Some things I’ve enjoyed but won’t restock (e.g. Basil Hayden, I’m looking at you). This one, I will.
why was the half-gallon bottles discontinued in PA liquor stores?
That’s a good question, but unfortunately I have no idea. Though if I had to guess it would be due to the distributor because I still see them in CA so they’re still being made.
I run a retail shop and just got word that 1.75l bottles of the 80proof will no longer be available.
That’s really good to know. Thanks Jason!
Thanks for drinking this one so I don’t have to. I’ll vouch for OGD 114, it’s great for $22/750ml
Haha, you’re welcome!