Old Grand Dad 7 Year 114 Proof 750ML

Old Grand Dad 7 Year 114 Proof 750ML is a high-rye Kentucky straight bourbon bottled at 57% ABV (114 proof) in a 750ml format. This expression earned a Double Gold medal with 98 points at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, where it was named one of the 2025 Top Five Best-in-Class Bourbons. Wine Enthusiast awarded it 92 points, reinforcing its reputation as a serious over-performer in the bourbon category.

Quick Facts: ABV: 57% (114 Proof)  |  Origin: Clermont, Kentucky, USA  |  Age: 7 Years  |  Distillery: James B. Beam Distilling Co.

Production & Heritage

The Old Grand-Dad name pays tribute to Basil Hayden Sr., a pioneering Kentucky distiller whose grandson Raymond B. Hayden created the original recipe in the 1880s. Today, production takes place at the James B. Beam Distilling Co. in Clermont, Kentucky, under Beam Suntory ownership. The mashbill runs 63% corn, 27% rye, and 10% malted barley — one of the highest rye percentages in any widely available bourbon. Aged seven years in new charred American oak barrels and bottled without chill filtration, the 114 Proof expression retains the full spectrum of oils and flavor compounds that more processed bourbons lose.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Warm vanilla and fresh corn greet the nose first, followed by a wave of cinnamon red-hot spice. Bright orchard fruit — ripe pear and apricot — emerges above a steady base of seasoned oak.

Taste: The entry is vivid and potent without harshness, opening with rich dark cherry and caramel-toffee sweetness. Bold rye spice takes over at the mid-palate, joined by nutmeg, a hint of tobacco leaf, and dark chocolate undertones. The full-bodied texture, preserved by the lack of chill filtration, coats the mouth with an almost oily weight.

Finish: Long and slightly tannic, with lingering cinnamon, toasted oak, and cracked black pepper. A soft echo of dried cherries rounds out the close, drawing you back to the glass.

How to Drink Old Grand-Dad 114

A splash of water — roughly a teaspoon — unlocks the fruit and spice layers without collapsing the bourbon's muscular structure. Neat pours reward patience, improving as the glass warms in hand. Three cocktails where this bourbon excels: an Old Fashioned, where the 114 proof cuts cleanly through bitters and sweetener with authority; a Boulevardier, where the high-rye grain bill adds spice that balances Campari's bitterness; and a Gold Rush, where the honey-lemon combination draws out the bourbon's orchard fruit and caramel depth.

Best For

• Gifting a bourbon enthusiast who values full-proof, barrel-strength-adjacent whiskey
• Building a home bar's high-proof bourbon anchor for cocktails and sipping
• Blind tasting comparisons among high-rye bourbons at different proof points
• After-dinner sipping alongside rich desserts like pecan pie or dark chocolate

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Old Grand-Dad 114 taste like? The dominant profile is bold rye spice layered over dark cherry, caramel-toffee sweetness, and toasted oak, with a long peppery finish. The high proof amplifies every flavor without introducing harshness, and the non-chill-filtered texture gives it a rich, full-bodied mouthfeel.

How does Old Grand-Dad 114 compare to Basil Hayden's? Both use the identical 63% corn, 27% rye, and 10% malted barley mashbill, but they diverge sharply on proof — Basil Hayden's bottles at 80 proof (40% ABV) while Old Grand-Dad 114 sits at 57% ABV. The result is that Old Grand-Dad 114 delivers significantly more intensity, spice, and body, whereas Basil Hayden's leans toward a lighter, more approachable character.

Is Old Grand-Dad 114 good for sipping neat? Absolutely, though a few drops of water help tame the 57% ABV heat and open up the fruit and baking-spice aromatics. Experienced high-proof drinkers will find it well-structured enough to enjoy without dilution.

Where is Old Grand-Dad 114 made? It is distilled and aged at the James B. Beam Distilling Co. in Clermont, Kentucky, in the heart of bourbon country. The brand has been produced in Kentucky since its creation in the 1880s.

What foods pair well with Old Grand-Dad 114? Smoked brisket or pulled pork, where the rye spice mirrors the smoke and char. Dark chocolate truffles complement the toffee and cocoa notes. Sharp aged cheddar stands up to the proof and adds a savory counterpoint. Pecan pie echoes the bourbon's caramel and toasted-nut qualities. Grilled stone fruit, like peaches, bridges the orchard-fruit aromatics on the nose.

What sizes does Old Grand-Dad 114 come in? The standard and most widely available format is the 750ml bottle.

Is Old Grand-Dad 114 worth the price? Old Grand-Dad 114 positions as a value-tier high-proof bourbon, consistently praised by critics and enthusiasts for delivering performance well above its price class. Its SFWSC Double Gold and Wine Enthusiast 92-point score place it alongside bottles that typically cost considerably more.

Why Old Grand-Dad 114?

The 27% rye mashbill — among the highest in any mainstream bourbon — drives a spice-forward character that separates Old Grand-Dad 114 from the corn-heavy majority of the category. Seven years in new charred American oak contributes enough maturity to balance that rye heat with dark fruit richness and layered caramel depth. Non-chill filtration at 114 proof preserves an oily, full-bodied texture rarely found at this price tier. A Double Gold medal with 98 points at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, alongside a 92-point Wine Enthusiast rating, confirms what bourbon circles have long maintained: this is one of the most compelling high-proof whiskeys produced in Kentucky today.