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Old Forester 100 Proof vs Old Grand-Dad Bonded
On paper Old Forester 100 Proof and Old Grand-Dad Bonded are near neighbours — both high-rye bourbons — so personal preference more than spec is what actually decides it.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 100 Proof | Old Grand-Dad Bonded |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | 63% corn, 27% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 4 years |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$26 – $32 | ~$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
Old Forester 100 Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Old Grand-Dad Bonded
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 100 Proof Old Grand-Dad Bonded
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 7/5 sweetness: Old Forester 100 Proof 7 out of 10, Old Grand-Dad Bonded 5 out of 10
spice 6/8 spice: Old Forester 100 Proof 6 out of 10, Old Grand-Dad Bonded 8 out of 10
nuttiness 3/5 nuttiness: Old Forester 100 Proof 3 out of 10, Old Grand-Dad Bonded 5 out of 10
oak 6/5 oak: Old Forester 100 Proof 6 out of 10, Old Grand-Dad Bonded 5 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: Old Forester 100 Proof 5 out of 10, Old Grand-Dad Bonded 4 out of 10
heat 5/6 heat: Old Forester 100 Proof 5 out of 10, Old Grand-Dad Bonded 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Sweetness is where these two part ways.
- Old Forester 100 Proof: The bottle most people should buy from this range: the same recipe as the 86 with enough proof to actually taste it. One of the strongest arguments on the shelf for spending six dollars more.
- 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 Old Forester 100 Proof if you want the best value in the Old Forester range and a superb old-fashioned base.
- Go with Old Grand-Dad Bonded if you want a bonded, high-rye workhorse at mixer money.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Old Forester 100 Proof); neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (Old Grand-Dad Bonded).