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Ancient Age vs Old Grand-Dad 114
Comparing Ancient Age and Old Grand-Dad 114 reveals a matchup between a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple and a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Ancient Age | Old Grand-Dad 114 |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 15% rye, 10% malted barley | 63% corn, 27% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 80 proof (40% ABV) | 114 proof (57% ABV) +34 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$14 – $18 ~$16 less | ~$28 – $35 |
- Ancient Age and Old Grand-Dad 114 do not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Ancient Age
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Old Grand-Dad 114
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Ancient Age Old Grand-Dad 114
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 2/8 heat: Ancient Age 2 out of 10, Old Grand-Dad 114 8 out of 10
spice 4/9 spice: Ancient Age 4 out of 10, Old Grand-Dad 114 9 out of 10
oak 3/6 oak: Ancient Age 3 out of 10, Old Grand-Dad 114 6 out of 10
sweetness 5/6 sweetness: Ancient Age 5 out of 10, Old Grand-Dad 114 6 out of 10
nuttiness 4/5 nuttiness: Ancient Age 4 out of 10, Old Grand-Dad 114 5 out of 10
fruit 4/4 fruit: Ancient Age 4 out of 10, Old Grand-Dad 114 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Proof and heat dominate the difference.
- Ancient Age: The bottom rung of the Buffalo Trace ladder and priced accordingly. Thin and simple at 80 proof, but it is recognisably the Mash Bill #2 recipe and it does its job in a highball without complaint.
- Old Grand-Dad 114: The best proof-per-dollar in American whiskey and it is not especially close. The 27% rye mash at 114 proof is loud, peppery and completely unsubtle, which is exactly why it makes such a good old-fashioned.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Ancient Age if you want the cheapest honest mixer in the lineup and you are not drinking it neat.
- Go with Old Grand-Dad 114 if you want maximum rye spice and proof for under thirty dollars.
Best enjoyed cocktails, highball (Ancient Age); neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (Old Grand-Dad 114).