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Rowan's Creek vs Old Grand-Dad 114
Comparing Rowan's Creek and Old Grand-Dad 114 reveals a matchup between a traditional, even-keeled Kentucky staple and a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Rowan's Creek | Old Grand-Dad 114 |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 63% corn, 27% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 100.1 proof (50.0% ABV) | 114 proof (57% ABV) +14 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$40 – $50 | ~$28 – $35 ~$14 less |
- Rowan's Creek and Old Grand-Dad 114 do not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-10; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Rowan's Creek
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Old Grand-Dad 114
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Rowan's Creek Old Grand-Dad 114
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 5/8 heat: Rowan's Creek 5 out of 10, Old Grand-Dad 114 8 out of 10
nuttiness 2/5 nuttiness: Rowan's Creek 2 out of 10, Old Grand-Dad 114 5 out of 10
spice 7/9 spice: Rowan's Creek 7 out of 10, Old Grand-Dad 114 9 out of 10
oak 4/6 oak: Rowan's Creek 4 out of 10, Old Grand-Dad 114 6 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Rowan's Creek 6 out of 10, Old Grand-Dad 114 6 out of 10
fruit 4/4 fruit: Rowan's Creek 4 out of 10, Old Grand-Dad 114 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land very differently on the palate for heat.
- 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.
- 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 Rowan's Creek if you want an herbal, minty, rye-forward Willett bottling.
- Go with Old Grand-Dad 114 if you want maximum rye spice and proof for under thirty dollars.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (Rowan's Creek); neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (Old Grand-Dad 114).