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Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond vs Old Grand-Dad 114
On paper Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond and Old Grand-Dad 114 are near neighbours — both high-rye bourbons — so proof (100 vs. 114) is what actually decides it.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond | Old Grand-Dad 114 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 4 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 114 proof (57% ABV) +14 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$45 – $55 | ~$28 – $35 ~$19 less |
- Old Grand-Dad 114 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 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Old Grand-Dad 114
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond Old Grand-Dad 114
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 6/9 spice: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10, Old Grand-Dad 114 9 out of 10
heat 5/8 heat: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Old Grand-Dad 114 8 out of 10
nuttiness 3/5 nuttiness: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10, Old Grand-Dad 114 5 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10, Old Grand-Dad 114 6 out of 10
oak 7/6 oak: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10, Old Grand-Dad 114 6 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Old Grand-Dad 114 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Rye spice is the dividing line here.
- Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond: The bonded entry in the Whiskey Row series and a noticeable step up in density from the standard 100. More oak and more weight, though the price gap to the 100 proof is harder to justify than the flavour gap suggests.
- 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 Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond if you want a bonded, denser take on the Old Forester profile with more barrel behind it.
- Go with Old Grand-Dad 114 if you want maximum rye spice and proof for under thirty dollars.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond); neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (Old Grand-Dad 114).