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Evan Williams Black Label vs Old Grand-Dad Bonded
Comparing Evan Williams Black Label and Old Grand-Dad Bonded reveals a matchup between a traditional, even-keeled Kentucky staple and a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Evan Williams Black Label | Old Grand-Dad Bonded |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | 63% corn, 27% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 4 years |
| Proof | 86 proof (43% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +14 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$14 – $18 ~$11 less | ~$24 – $30 |
- Old Grand-Dad Bonded does 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
Evan Williams Black Label
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Old Grand-Dad Bonded
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Evan Williams Black Label Old Grand-Dad Bonded
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 4/8 spice: Evan Williams Black Label 4 out of 10, Old Grand-Dad Bonded 8 out of 10
heat 3/6 heat: Evan Williams Black Label 3 out of 10, Old Grand-Dad Bonded 6 out of 10
sweetness 6/5 sweetness: Evan Williams Black Label 6 out of 10, Old Grand-Dad Bonded 5 out of 10
nuttiness 4/5 nuttiness: Evan Williams Black Label 4 out of 10, Old Grand-Dad Bonded 5 out of 10
oak 5/5 oak: Evan Williams Black Label 5 out of 10, Old Grand-Dad Bonded 5 out of 10
fruit 4/4 fruit: Evan Williams Black Label 4 out of 10, Old Grand-Dad Bonded 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Rye spice is the dividing line here.
- Evan Williams Black Label: The everyday black label, and a perfectly competent well bourbon. Softer and sweeter than the bonded version, with less to say but nothing objectionable.
- Old Grand-Dad Bonded: A bonded 100-proof high-rye bourbon for the price of a mixer, and one of the great bargains on the shelf. Cleaner and less overwhelming than the 114 while keeping the peppery rye backbone.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Evan Williams Black Label if you want a dependable, inexpensive mixing bourbon and nothing more complicated than that at a slightly lower price point.
- Go with Old Grand-Dad Bonded if you want a bonded, high-rye workhorse at mixer money with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed cocktails, highball, rocks (Evan Williams Black Label); neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (Old Grand-Dad Bonded).