True story. The first time I drank Old Grandad, sometime aorund 1992, the night ended up with me piercing my roommates ear with a needle. This time... nothing quite that exciting, just some mediocre tasting notes.   For the record this was the 43% ABV version, I understand they now only bottle Old Grandad at 40% ABV and yet for some reason no Maker’s Mark style hysteria? The nose has bubblegum, corn syrup and comes across very sweet and young. Not the nose you might expect for an old Grandad. The taste is a little rough at first, spice, bitter coffee, cola and chocolate. It does softens a little with time. The finish has bitter oak and high rye content is evident with spices and some mintiness detectable. Feels a little unbalanced, overall taste lacks the sweetness of the nose.