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Old Grand-Dad 114 vs Uncle Nearest 1856
Comparing Old Grand-Dad 114 and Uncle Nearest 1856 reveals a matchup between a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple and a sourced, even-keeled blend.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Grand-Dad 114 | Uncle Nearest 1856 |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Tennessee Whiskey |
| Mash Bill 1 | 63% corn, 27% rye, 10% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 114 proof (57% ABV) +14 proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$28 – $35 ~$31 less | ~$55 – $70 |
- Old Grand-Dad 114 and Uncle Nearest 1856 do not publish an official mash bill.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
Old Grand-Dad 114
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Uncle Nearest 1856
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Grand-Dad 114 Uncle Nearest 1856
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 9/5 spice: Old Grand-Dad 114 9 out of 10, Uncle Nearest 1856 5 out of 10
heat 8/5 heat: Old Grand-Dad 114 8 out of 10, Uncle Nearest 1856 5 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Old Grand-Dad 114 6 out of 10, Uncle Nearest 1856 7 out of 10
oak 6/7 oak: Old Grand-Dad 114 6 out of 10, Uncle Nearest 1856 7 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: Old Grand-Dad 114 4 out of 10, Uncle Nearest 1856 5 out of 10
nuttiness 5/4 nuttiness: Old Grand-Dad 114 5 out of 10, Uncle Nearest 1856 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Rye spice is the dividing line here.
- 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.
- Uncle Nearest 1856: Named for Nathan 'Nearest' Green, the enslaved distiller who taught Jack Daniel, and now backed by the brand's own distillery in Shelbyville. Sweet and maple-leaning with the charcoal-mellowed softness of the style.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Old Grand-Dad 114 if you want maximum rye spice and proof for under thirty dollars.
- Go with Uncle Nearest 1856 if you want a sweet, maple-forward Tennessee whiskey with a story worth knowing behind it.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (Old Grand-Dad 114); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Uncle Nearest 1856).