While on our last adventure to Kentucky this past October, I had the chance to purchase this bottle at the James B. Beam Distilling Co. but passed due to the limited space in our bags. I instantly regretted it when returning back to NoCo and watching/reading several reviews about this outstanding one-time release. Several weeks later, we walked into one of our favorite stores and there it was, sitting on the shelf at MSRP and I could have not been happier. Today’s review is one of those bottles from James B. Beam Distilling Co. and is of their limited bottle of Old Grand-Dad 16-Year-Old Bourbon.

Bottle Information

From the Jim Beam website: Basil Hayden Sr. – known as Old Grand-Dad to the generations that followed – made bourbon the way he wanted. He went against the traditional “grain” of the time and chose to distill his bourbon with a higher percentage of rye. This way of crafting bourbon was likely something he handed down to his son. And in turn, his grandson. That was Colonel R.B. Hayden who would justly name his bourbon after his Old Grand-Dad. The recipe today remains inspired by Basil’s original with complex flavors and an unmistakable spiciness. First bottled in 1882, very little has changed about it. And that’s the only way we’d have it.

• Distiller: Distilled and Bottled by James B. Beam Distilling Co.
• Mash Bill: 63% Corn, 27% Rye, and 10% Malted Barley
• Proof: 100
• Age: 16
• Year: 2024
• MSRP: $195
• 2025 National Average: $233
• Official Website

I have a saying that I tell Mrs. Bourbon Bossman all the time when it comes to hunting bourbon in NoCo; I do not want to upset the bourbon gods. Now this is meant to be more of a joke, but I do believe in Karma and will often leave bottles on the shelf for the next person, in hopes that luck will come back my way too. I believe finding this bottle was one of those times of right place right time, and thank you, bourbon gods. Since seeing this at the distillery and then purchasing it at our local store, we have yet to see another in the NoCo or Denver area.

I have never had the pleasure of trying an Old Grand Dad product, but maybe I should have, as this is a solid bourbon. This bottle boasts amazing notes of vanilla, apple, rye spice, and oak, and has a finish that continues with those notes for days. If given the chance, I would purchase this bottle again, and recommend anyone wanting something special, as it is an expensive bottle, do the same. With that said, let’s get our taste on!

• Nose: Leather, Rye Spice, Vanilla, Cherry, Apple Juice, Oak, and Caramel
• Palate: Vanilla, Red Apple, Cinnamon, Caramel, Oak, and Rye Spice
• Finish: Long with Notes of Sweet but Drying Oak and Rye Spice
• My Rating: Drink It! (I have never had the pleasure of trying an Old Grand Dad product, but maybe I should have, as this is a solid bourbon!)

Please remember, drinking bourbon is a personal adventure, so do not be afraid to drink it neat, with ice, or add some water. It’s your bourbon, you bought it, and you should enjoy it how you want to enjoy it!

Cheers! Prost! Sláinte!

Bourbon Bossman®