Old Grand Dad 100. Meh

[Walter Sobchak]

Ancient Age is half the price of Elijah Craig where I'm at, but well below half as good in quality.

Ancient Age doesn't make my "Drinkable" list. There are a few better cheap bottles available; ET, EW, OF, for example.


The Bonded (100 proof) OGD is the best in the OGD line and not too bad, IMO.

[Acmemfg]

Years back I was doing some Graduate work at the University of Louisville. Seems during that time I learned more about bourbons than I did about my discipline of study.

It was then I was introduced to what is known as the "Louisville Bourbons". Not necessarily a bourbon distilled in Louisville, these whiskeys were more of a style; big, full-flavored spirits that I soon came to love. One of those bourbons that I truly came to love was Old Forester. Although it isn't as hyped as most bourbons, Old Forester gives precious little away to many of the "premier" bourbons you see much of. It routinely wins awards at Bourbon Competitions and (for you history buffs) was the first bourbon bottled in the US.

Always very reasonably priced, I think any bourbon fan owes it to themselves to try a bottle.

[Walter Sobchak]

Years back I was doing some Graduate work at the University of Louisville. Seems during that time I learned more about bourbons than I did about my discipline of study.

It was then I was introduced to what is known as the "Louisville Bourbons". Not necessarily a bourbon distilled in Louisville, these whiskeys were more of a style; big, full-flavored spirits that I soon came to love. One of those bourbons that I truly came to love was Old Forester. Although it isn't as hyped as most bourbons, Old Forester gives precious little away to many of the "premier" bourbons you see much of. It routinely wins awards at Bourbon Competitions and (for you history buffs) was the first bourbon bottled in the US.

Always very reasonably priced, I think any bourbon fan owes it to themselves to try a bottle.

I completely agree that OF is on a level that's a step above its price tag and reputation. It's by far my favorite cheap bourbon. I'm partial to bourbons with a little extra rye. OF is one of them. I could be mistaken, but I'm pretty sure it shares the same mash bill as Woodford Reserve.

[nrv216]

+1 to those who recommended woodford reserve and old forrester!

nrv216

[Nicky66]

I thought I didn't like bourbOn until I tried Buffalo Trace. Delicious, pure stuff.

[SkipH]

Give Knob Creek a try.

[auk1124]

Ancient Age doesn't make my "Drinkable" list.

Re: Ancient Age, I'm not sure if those posting are aware that there are two versions (maybe more?) available. The poster who originally opined that he liked Ancient Ancient Age is aware but I'm not sure if everyone else is talking about the same product. In a nutshell, Ancient Age = meh (okay but nothing to jump up and down about), Ancient Ancient Age = pretty darn good (at least as I recall, been a long time since I had a bottle).

Ancient Age is widely distributed, but Ancient Ancient Age may be only distributed in KY and perhaps a few other limited markets. The limited distribution one (the one with the extra "Ancient" in its title) is the one most people are talking about when they say they like it.

[Patman27]

Have you made it to Bulleit yet? If not, try the rye. I like it a lot. Bourbon is good too, and both are less than woodford/knob creek/etc. Around here, they are 25$ at a good store, 30 at a higher markup.

[Slash McCoy]

I spent most of the morning sipping OGD100 manhattans, but topped with soda, and dry instead of sweet vermouth. Quite nice.

[Rughi]

...In a nutshell, Ancient Age = meh (okay but nothing to jump up and down about), Ancient Ancient Age = pretty darn good (at least as I recall, been a long time since I had a bottle)....

It's even a little trickier than that. There is a AAA 10-Year and a AAA 10-Star. The 10 year old is the one to get, but it its very scarce. Outside of Kentucky, it is available mail order from the Party Source of Covington/Cincinnati and Binnys of Chicago, who both specialize in barrel selections of American whiskeys. When ordering, always ensure it's 10-Year not 10-Star that you're ordering.

AAA 10-Year at its best can rival its label mates Elmer T Lee, Eagle Rare 10-year old and Blanton's, but it's usually a simple and satisfying flavor, and not always so much better than its price would imply.

Roger

[atison]

Wanted to post an update as I have had a chance to get to know this one a little better. Since the summer months are here, I have been enjoying my evening pour over crushed ice. I have 2 bottles in my cabinet right now. Beam Black and OGD 100. Was going to the Beam mostly, but lately I have been reaching for the OGD a bit more. Where the Beam has a smoothness to it that really shines neat or with a splash of water, the OGD has a bite that stays strong through the ice. I am not talking an alcohol bite or a spice bite, but a flavor bite. Hard to describe, but the more I drink it the more I appreciate it.

I think OGD is working its way back up as a potential regular, at least in the summer months when I go for the crushed ice.

[joshmpdx]

Re: Ancient Age, I'm not sure if those posting are aware that there are two versions (maybe more?) available. The poster who originally opined that he liked Ancient Ancient Age is aware but I'm not sure if everyone else is talking about the same product. In a nutshell, Ancient Age = meh (okay but nothing to jump up and down about), Ancient Ancient Age = pretty darn good (at least as I recall, been a long time since I had a bottle).

Ancient Age is widely distributed, but Ancient Ancient Age may be only distributed in KY and perhaps a few other limited markets. The limited distribution one (the one with the extra "Ancient" in its title) is the one most people are talking about when they say they like it.

It's even a little trickier than that. There is a AAA 10-Year and a AAA 10-Star. The 10 year old is the one to get, but it its very scarce. Outside of Kentucky, it is available mail order from the Party Source of Covington/Cincinnati and Binnys of Chicago, who both specialize in barrel selections of American whiskeys. When ordering, always ensure it's 10-Year not 10-Star that you're ordering.

AAA 10-Year at its best can rival its label mates Elmer T Lee, Eagle Rare 10-year old and Blanton's, but it's usually a simple and satisfying flavor, and not always so much better than its price would imply.

Roger

Many thanks for the clarification. I had no idea, and am certain I was referring to simply AA.

[Rughi]

Many thanks for the clarification. I had no idea, and am certain I was referring to simply AA.

You are in luck, in a round about way, though, Josh.

The Oregon state store carries Old Charter 10 year old / 86 proof, which is the same age and proof product as AAA 10yo from Buffalo Trace, and has a very similar target taste profile. Another value pour that has a cult following amongst bourbon enthusiasts that you have easy access to is Very Old Barton (6 year/100 proof). Both of these should be very easy to find in the OP's Cincinnati/Covington area as well (the world famous Cork 'n' Bottle and many other places).