Tag Archives: old grand-dad 114

The Sunday Pour: When Good Bourbon Becomes Ordinary

Posted on October 18, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

As our bourbon collections grow and our palates become more sophisticated, do we risk losing our appreciation for everyday whiskey? This week, The Sunday Pour explores the difference between evaluating bourbon and enjoying it, the lessons of the Bourbon Cheapskate, and what the Apostle Paul teaches us about contentment. Continue reading →

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The Bourbon Cheapskate, Vol. 57: A Return Visit With Old Grand-Dad

Posted on October 8, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Ten months and countless bourbon tastings later, I’m revisiting two of my Bourbon Cheapskate favorites: Old Grand-Dad 114 and Old Grand-Dad 7-Year Bottled-in-Bond. Have my tastes changed? Were my original scores too generous? Or do these affordable bourbons still deserve their places on my shelf? It’s time for a rematch. Continue reading →

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The Bourbon Cheapskate, Vol. 51: Seven Bottles, One Blind, and a Few Surprises

Posted on August 27, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Seven bourbons. Proofs from 107 to 114. Prices from $35 to $65. The winner wasn’t a shock, but several bottles dramatically changed my opinion once the labels disappeared. Continue reading →

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Tasting Tuesday: The Real Winner Was the Bag

Posted on July 7, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

I packed five bourbons in a four-compartment bag and turned vacation into a blind tasting. Old Glory won the overall title, Evan Williams won the blind, and I learned I know my palate pretty well. Continue reading →

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The Bourbon Cheapskate, Vol. 42: Old Grand-Dad 114 vs. Old Grand-Dad 114 Single Barrel

Posted on June 18, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Old Grand-Dad 114 has long been one of bourbon’s great value bottles. But is the harder-to-find Old Grand-Dad 114 Single Barrel worth the chase and the extra $15? A blind side-by-side tasting gave me a pretty clear answer. Continue reading →

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Best of the Bourbon Trail Trip, Part One: Rickhouses, Barrel Picks and One Very Questionable Motel 6

Posted on June 15, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

The first half of our Bourbon Trail trip brought the Stateline Whiskey Tour, barrel picks, rickhouse pours, Old Grand-Dad 114 Single Barrel, Green River, Beam, Wild Turkey, Heaven Hill — and one Motel 6 that may still owe us an apology. Continue reading →

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March Bourbon Madness: Best-of-the-Shelf Challenge—Second Round Matchups 13-16

Posted on March 29, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Round 2 closes with depth, dessert profiles, and a few decisive finishes. Old Forester’s 117 moves on, 13th Colony flexes its complexity, Oloroso proves its smoky edge, and Woodford Double Oaked does what it does best—linger. The Sweet 16 is set, and the margin for error is gone. Continue reading →

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March Bourbon Madness: Best-of-the-Shelf Challenge—First Round Matchups 25-28

Posted on March 21, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Four more blinds, four more bottles headed home. Old Forester flexed its muscle again, Old Grand-dad proved that texture can outweigh complexity, and a pair of tightly contested matchups showed just how thin the margin is between advancing and packing it in. The first round is almost complete—and the bracket is starting to reveal its true contenders. Continue reading →

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The Bourbon Cheapskate, Vol. 24: The Bourbon That Refuses to Apologize

Posted on January 15, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

At $32–35, Old Grand-Dad 114 delivers a depth, mouthfeel, and finish that linger far longer than the price tag. Bold, honest, and unapologetic, it has earned the top spot on my Bourbon Cheapskate shelf—not by pretending to be more than it is, but by executing exactly what it promises. Continue reading →

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