The James B. Beam Distilling Co. has pulled a well-worn, beloved page from the American whiskey playbook with the launch of its annual Old Grand-Dad 7-Year-Old Bonded Bourbon release — a spirited nod to the bourbon’s roots while affirming its place in the pantheon of Kentucky classics. This new expression, barreled in the spring of 2018 and bottled at 100 proof, is a whiskey as bold and uncompromising as its namesake, the fiery old patriarch Basil Hayden Sr.
Old Grand-Dad, first bottled in 1882, has long been revered by bartenders, collectors, and bourbon purists alike for its high-rye mash bill — a formula that imparts a spicier, livelier character than its sweeter, corn-heavy cousins. Acquired by James B. Beam Distilling Co. in 1987, the brand has weathered countless fads, holding fast to its robust, straightforward style.
The 7-Year-Old Bonded edition is produced from a single distillation season and follows the rigorous Bottled-in-Bond Act standards, a government stamp of authenticity and quality dating back to 1897. The result? A bourbon that stands firm in its integrity while offering an experience layered in warmth and story.
Pour a glass and you’re greeted by deep copper tones that almost seem to glow from within. On the nose, bold waves of caramel and vanilla drift up, evoking late nights by the fire and long summer barbecues. The palate unfolds in sweet caramel flavors laced with charred oak and subtle vanilla, culminating in a full-bodied, long finish that lingers with velvety caramel echoes.
Historically inspired by vintage OGD releases and cut to a precise 100 proof, this iteration balances the spice of its rye-heavy DNA with extra time in the barrel, creating a bourbon that is somehow both rambunctious and refined.
At an approachable SRP of $39.99, it stands as an invitation to both the devoted and the newly curious to revisit a label that never strayed far from the original map. The new Old Grand-Dad 7-Year-Old Bonded Bourbon isn’t just a bottle on the shelf — it’s a shot of American history, alive and well.
For more details, visit Old Grand-Dad’s official website.
