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Old Grand-Dad Bonded vs Rowan's Creek
Comparing Old Grand-Dad Bonded and Rowan's Creek reveals a matchup between a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple and a traditional, even-keeled Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Grand-Dad Bonded | Rowan's Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 63% corn, 27% rye, 10% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | 4 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 100.1 proof (50.0% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$24 – $30 ~$18 less | ~$40 – $50 |
- Old Grand-Dad Bonded and Rowan's Creek do not publish an official mash bill.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 Bonded
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Rowan's Creek
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Grand-Dad Bonded Rowan's Creek
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
nuttiness 5/2 nuttiness: Old Grand-Dad Bonded 5 out of 10, Rowan's Creek 2 out of 10
sweetness 5/6 sweetness: Old Grand-Dad Bonded 5 out of 10, Rowan's Creek 6 out of 10
spice 8/7 spice: Old Grand-Dad Bonded 8 out of 10, Rowan's Creek 7 out of 10
oak 5/4 oak: Old Grand-Dad Bonded 5 out of 10, Rowan's Creek 4 out of 10
heat 6/5 heat: Old Grand-Dad Bonded 6 out of 10, Rowan's Creek 5 out of 10
fruit 4/4 fruit: Old Grand-Dad Bonded 4 out of 10, Rowan's Creek 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The house grain character is what splits these.
- 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.
- Rowan's Creek: A small-batch Willett bottling that tastes rye-forward and herbal. Honey and caramel sit under mint, hay and warm spice, with a peppermint lift on the finish.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Old Grand-Dad Bonded if you want a bonded, high-rye workhorse at mixer money.
- Go with Rowan's Creek if you want an herbal, minty, rye-forward Willett bottling.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (Old Grand-Dad Bonded); neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (Rowan's Creek).