Old Tub Bottled-in-Bond Vs. Old Grandad Bonded

What we know as Jim Beam, pre-prohibition was named “Old Tub Distillery”.  This bottle honors that legacy and previously was only sold in 375mL bottles at the distillery shop. It’s now in a “limited” release, and I thought it would be interesting to put it up against another Bottled-in-Bond Beam product in the same price range.

Old Grandad) ($21) The nose on this is fairly strong oak and vanilla, along with a little orange fruitiness, and some sweet corn. The palate starts with alcohol heat, that moves into oak, slight burnt sugar, orange and cherry without much sweetness, and a decent amount of black pepper spice. The finish is fairly long with more spice, oak, and a little sweet corn. 

Overall this is a great bottle for the price, and it makes some excellent cocktails (the Pendergast is one of my all-time favorites and this is the only whiskey I use for it. DM me if you want the recipe).

To me though, it drinks a little bit hot for it’s proof. While it’s a great pour, I don’t find myself reaching for it to drink neat very often.

Old Tub) ($18) the nose is immediately different, with less oak (although it’s still there), and much more vanilla and fruit, with cherry/orange, and slight peanut. The palate is immediately sweet and a little oily with toasted sugar and caramel, then charred oak, vanilla, citrus, cinnamon, and a little peanut with black pepper. The finish is decently long with some sweetness, black pepper spice, some alcohol burn, and as you exhale, more sweet corn.

I am definitely impressed by this bottle for this price. it drinks older than 4yrs to me, and I can see myself reaching for this one to drink neat often.

Verdict) While I definitely appreciate OGB,  I actually think Old Tub is a new contender for one of the top value-bottles in the $15-20 range!

I’m going to have to try this one next to some of my other favorite value-bottles...