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Rowan's Creek vs Old Grand-Dad Bonded
Comparing Rowan's Creek and Old Grand-Dad Bonded 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 Bonded |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 63% corn, 27% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 4 years |
| Proof | 100.1 proof (50.0% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$40 – $50 | ~$24 – $30 ~$18 less |
- Rowan's Creek and Old Grand-Dad Bonded do not publish an official mash bill.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 Bonded
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Rowan's Creek Old Grand-Dad Bonded
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
nuttiness 2/5 nuttiness: Rowan's Creek 2 out of 10, Old Grand-Dad Bonded 5 out of 10
sweetness 6/5 sweetness: Rowan's Creek 6 out of 10, Old Grand-Dad Bonded 5 out of 10
spice 7/8 spice: Rowan's Creek 7 out of 10, Old Grand-Dad Bonded 8 out of 10
oak 4/5 oak: Rowan's Creek 4 out of 10, Old Grand-Dad Bonded 5 out of 10
heat 5/6 heat: Rowan's Creek 5 out of 10, Old Grand-Dad Bonded 6 out of 10
fruit 4/4 fruit: Rowan's Creek 4 out of 10, Old Grand-Dad Bonded 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The house grain character is what splits these.
- 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 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 Rowan's Creek if you want an herbal, minty, rye-forward Willett bottling.
- Go with Old Grand-Dad Bonded if you want a bonded, high-rye workhorse at mixer money.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (Rowan's Creek); neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (Old Grand-Dad Bonded).