Review: Basil Hayden Subtle Smoke
Producer Jim Beam has introduced a range of new Basil Hayden products in recent years, including creative approaches to bourbon andrye, and now it is offering something completely different by creating a bourbon with a distinctly smoky character. Unusually, it isnt made with peat. They explain the unique process for creating a very subtle note of smoke:
The steps to create this unique bourbon begin with toasting and lightly charring a secondary barrel. Afterwards, hickory-smoked chips are delicately ignited at a constant feed to produce smoke, which is then pumped into the barrel, resulting in soft, charred notes. This six-month secondary aging process provides a smoother, more subtle take on smoky spirits, and creates the perfectly sophisticated, yet approachable introduction to both bourbon and Basil Hayden.
80 proof.
Who Makes Basil Hayden’s Bourbon
Basil Hayden’s is made by Jim Beam in Clermont, Kentucky. Its high-rye mash, low 80 proofing and snazzy bottle design contrast greatly with Beam’s other small batch brands . Those three key differences are also the reason many seasoned whiskey drinkers frown upon Basil Hayden’s: it’s viewed as watered down, soft and probably a hair too expensive for what’s in the bottle. What’s more, though there is a limited edition version that carries an age statement, standard Basil Hayden’s does not bear an age statement.
Basil Haydens Bourbon Review
Basil Haydens Bourbon is part of the Jim Beam Small Batch series along with Bookers, Knob Creek and Bakers. Its unlike the other 3 because instead of using the traditional Jim Beam low-rye mashbill its created using Jim Beams high-rye mashbill and is the same whiskey that goes into bottles of Old Grand-Dad, just a bit older. How much older? Who knows. All I know is that since they removed the 8 year age statement it really hasnt tasted the same.
Ive read reports of it now being 6 years old, but until they put it on the bottle Im not going to associate an age with it, and they really should bring that back. Basil Haydens needs something to distinguish itself from the rest of the OGD line-up other than a fancier bottle and a better-than-the-80-proof-but-not-as-good-as-the-bonded character. With no majorly distinguishing characteristics its really nothing more than a better expression of Old Grand-Dad 80 in a fancier bottle and to be honest thats not worth the 3.3X price difference.
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Basil Haydens Aged 10 Years Review
Color: Orange-brown knowing the proof, I can only imagine the deep color this would have if it were bottled at a higher ABV.
On the nose: Earthy, slight citrus, honeysuckle, soda, sarsaparilla candy . So far, Im intrigued. Its been a while since I nosed a Basil Haydens, so I cant recall if this is a uniquely good nose or if thats normal for them.
In the mouth: This has a cool, refreshing note almost thirst-quenching. I get why someone would be happy with this, honestly. Theres a slight amount of oak, and a note of fruit that I feel like I may just be imagining. I could probably identify more notes, but they really drop off quickly frankly, Im not sure Im patient enough to search for them. The flavors are generally quite weak for me, but I acknowledge that I like big, punchy flavors that typically come from higher proof whiskeys. For someone else, this might be considered very smooth, which is something Ive heard before from Basil Haydens fans.
Try These Basil Hayden’s Recipes
Basil Hayden’s Boulevardier
A timeless classic, the Boulevardier boosts a robust flavor, while adding a touch of elegance to a night out or an evening in.
Basil Hayden’s Independence Spice
From fireworks to firing up the grill, celebrate America’s favorite holiday with a 4th of July cocktail. Ripe blackberries and simple syrup make this bourbon wine cocktail sweet, while cooling mint and zesty lemon balance it out. Garnish with more blackberries and mint for a classy patriotic drink to serve up all day long.
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Review: Basil Hayden Red Wine Cask Finish
The march of Basil Hayden whiskey releases continues with yet another special expression, this one starting with standard Basil Hayden bourbon, then finishing it in California red wine casks. Theres no information on the finishing process beyond that descriptor, so lets simply dive in.
The dissonance here is immediate. The nose is sweet and fruity some cherry and some strawberry but undercut with an emphatic, doughy note of unbaked bread, almost yeasty. There are notes of vanilla and chocolate to be found, but theyre mild, quite tempered on the whole, as if something is keeping them in check. The palate shifts the picture, to be sure. Here that doughy character reveals its darker, woodier underbelly, and red wine tannin quickly comes flooding into the picture. Bitter and pushy, a char-heavy note clings to the back of the throat, emerging notes of grape skins and cloves forcing those elements to double down. Things get even more hoary with time in glass, the red wine elements really beginning to dominate alongside notes of torched wood, toasted sesame seeds, and cabernet jelly. Despite glimpses of chocolate, vanilla, and even some toasted coconut along the way, the whiskey remains tough and tight on the finish.
Fans of other Basil Hayden whiskeys wont see much family resemblance here.
80 proof.
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Theres nothing like that first sip of Basil Hayden®, or any sip that follows.
Aroma
Charred oak and sweet notes of vanilla & caramel with hints of dried fruit
Taste
Charred oak flavor that is complemented with sweet brown sugar, a touch of black pepper, and dried fruit to round it out
Finish
A pleasant, lingering charred oak finish with a touch of dried fruit
Color
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Once Upon Atime In Kentuckya Basil Hayden History
Crafted in 1992 by Booker Noe as part of the Small Batch collection, Basil Hayden introduced a more subtle side of bourbon compared to its counterparts.
This style of bourbon was inspired by 1792 whiskey pioneer Meredith Basil Hayden, Sr., a rye farmer from Maryland who moved to Kentucky and began distilling. He chose to distill his bourbon with a higher percentage of rye, and Booker set out to create a similar high-rye mash bill that would offer the same refined, approachable taste profile.
Today, this bourbon stands as a tribute to Meredith Basil Hayden, Sr.s high-rye mash bill ingenuity, as well as to Booker Noe, a true innovator who sought to welcome new drinkers into whiskey.
Where Can You Buy Basil Hayden’s Bourbon
Another point for Basil Hayden’s is its availability. You can find bottles of it everywhere. There is no great shortage of the stuff as is the case with Buffalo Trace products or the more sought-after Jim Beam whiskeys like Booker’s or special Knob Creek Single Barrel picks. And because it’s available everywhere, it isn’t subject to severe price inflation, like many of the hard-to-find bottles are these days.
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Basil Hayden Bourbon Whiskey Variations
Basil Hayden Bourbon is made in small batches and aged for around 8years in charred American white oak barrels. Its one of the bourbons that make up Beams Small Batch Collection. The others are:
- Bakers This bourbon is sweet and smooth with a cognac-like flavor and seems designed for a much mellow palette. It has less of a punch compared to the other two on this list.
- Knob Creek This has an amazingly long and strong finish. Its aged longer than the others to allow it more time to absorb the sugar from the oak barrels
- Bookers This is Kentuckys Spring Distilling masterpiece. Its rough around the edges but still smooth. Part of this is that the bourbon is both uncut and unfiltered.
Basil Hayden Bourbon is not boozy, unlike its hardcore kin, coming in at 80 proof, for all of the taste and less of the burn.
Basil Hayden Bourbon announced the release of Basil Haydens 10 Year Old Rye Whiskey. This release builds on the brands continued success and was created to showcase the bourbons signature high rye recipe in an extra-aged whiskey. This special bourbon boasts a smokier, more complex flavor profile than the original and only comes around once a year.
Basil Haydens Bourbon Aged 10 Years
Lets start with something we can all agree on: people have different tastes.
This statement is no surprise in any aspect of life, and this statement is no less true when it comes to bourbon. Too often, many of us in the bourbon community forget that new people have new palates. When those new people come to the internet asking for reviews, we tend to recommend our favorite things as experienced bourbon drinkers and afficionados. Ive been guilty of that, and Ive also been guilty of forgetting just how different my palate is now than what it was when I was just trying bourbon neat for the first time.
I mention this because many new drinkers gravitate towards lower proof offerings. Since 80 proof is the minimum to be considered bourbon, some brands release their product right at that minimum as a win-win of maximizing profit and approachability for new drinkers. In a time where more and more higher proof offerings are on shelves, Basil Haydens sticks out as an attractive option for those who may shy away from a higher ABV.
Everything about the recipe, age, and price says that this should be solid bourbon, at least in my opinion. The proof is the only drawback, but thats precisely the problem. Many experienced bourbon drinkers lament the lack of flavor in the Basil line for what feels like severe under-proofing. For every Basil Haydens fan I meet, I can show you five more people that dont want to waste their time with this watered-down whiskey.
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Whiskey Review: Basil Haydens Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Ill be honest, Ive been avoiding some of the more popular brands for a while now. It just didnt feel like I had anything to contribute to the conversation when others have already written all there is to say. But after months of COVID-19 social distancing, during which I have tested some truly terrible, weird whiskeys in the name of blogging, I feel like I deserve to treat myself to something nice. So today Im finally cracking this bottle of Basil Haydens that Ive been salivating over for quite a few months.
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Basil Hayden Bourbon History
This bourbon brand is named in honor of Meredith Basil Hayden Sr. , a whiskey pioneer and rye farmer who was a Maryland Catholic in the 18th century. The family had lived there since 1678 when Francis Hayden, Merediths great-grandfather, moved from Virginia to Maryland. His family can be traced back to England, Norfolk, before Britain became inhospitable to Catholics. In 1785, Meredith led twenty-five Catholic families from Maryland into what is not Nelson County, Kentucky.
The Hayden family started distilling in Kentucky in 1840, led by Meredith as the owner and master distiller. All through the mid-1800s, their approach to whiskey production using abnormally high amounts of rye in the mash bill gained popularity, enabling them to build a successful business. Later in 1882, Haydens grandson Raymond B. Hayden founded a distillery in Nelson County and named his label Old Grand-Dad in honor of his grandfather. Seventeen, years later this label was sold.
Basil Hayden Bourbon was crafted in 1992 by master distiller Booker Noe. It has proved successful and remains a popular sub-brand from Jim Beam.
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The History Of Basil Hayden Bourbon
As with most vintage American bourbons, Basil Hayden has a rich past, rooted in family traditions and unique recipes. While the brand was formally created and offered to the public in 1992, it has existed as a bourbon recipe since 1792.
In keeping with the brands tradition, Jim Beam elected to retain the bourbons original Basil Hayden name upon the companys acquisition of the rights to the recipe to honor the bourbons original distiller, Meredith Basil Hayden Sr.
The bourbon initially distinguished itself from other Kentucky bourbons when Hayden Sr. decided to use a larger percentage of rye in the whiskeys mash bill. While not terribly unique by todays standards, this was unheard of during the late 1700s in the whiskey production world.
Basil Hayden Bourbon Review
- Basil Hayden Bourbon Review
Our Basil Hayden bourbon review is ready and waiting for you to dive in! Were stoked for you to get to know this beautiful bottle. Its a personal favorite recommendation of ours here at Prestige, and our bar is never without it.
We especially love it for bourbon newcomers. Its a top gateway bourbon for sure. But bourbon veterans can sip back, relax, and remember good times with this classic, too. Lets have a look at some Basil Haydens history and details, shall we? Then well hear what our bourbon enthusiasts have to say.
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You Might Have Heard That Old Saying You Can Never Go Home Again On One Hand There’s A Good Chance You’re Home Right Now In Which Case The Statement Is A Little Dumb At Least Metaphorically However It Refers To It Being Impossible To Perceive The World Around Us Now As We Did At Some Point In Our Distant Past
Getting to the point: I realized there’s no going home for me when it comes to Basil Hayden. Not to get all sentimental on you, but it was the first bottle of good whiskey I ever bought for myself. Though I couldnt put my finger on it at the time, there was something special about that purchase. In reality, it marked the first time I didn’t think an upgrade would simply be wasted on me, and at long last I had confidence in my own taste.
The Basil Hayden bottle, incidentally, has always commanded presence. You can spot it from across the room, either in its current version , or back when it wore its little paper bib. What other whiskey has natural wood and copper accents, for god’s sake? Putting it into one’s cart is retail therapy at its apex. Youre worth it, the bottle whispers. You are a person of class and distinction. Consider this an investment in yourself.
Of course, the plain truth of it all was that Basil Hayden didn’t really open a direct portal to flavor town once I cracked that first bottle. There was no transformative, eye-opening experience to be had: It was still bourbon, more or less. In retrospect, if it tasted a little better to me then than Maker’s or Knob Creek at that time, it was probably only because I wanted it to.
Basil Haydens whole reason to exist was to give Jim Beam a lighter style of whiskey, so dont be surprised if your old standby Bourbons blow it right out of the water.
Where Is Basil Hayden Bourbon Made
Every drop of Basil Hayden Bourbon is distilled in Clermont, Kentucky, right in the heart of bourbon country. The whiskey is carefully distilled at Kentucky Springs Distilling Co.
Visitors can take a tour around the distillery to learn all the history, timeless secrets, and traditions of Kentuckys signature spirit.
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Basil Hayden Toast Overall Thoughts And Score
The entire premise of the regular Basil Hayden is to proof down Old Grand-Dad, put it in a fancy bottle, 2-3x the price and market it as a premium smooth whiskey. Even when it carried an 8-year age statement it was still pretty darn light, but it did have a nice bit of rye spice to it and now theyve removed that rye spice.
There isnt much oak to speak of, and whats there is ethereal and wispy and comes across like a slightly more bold Light Whiskey. Which begs the question who is the target for this? People who think the standard BH has too much flavor?
Nothing is off, nothing is bad, nothing is terrible, the Basil Hayden Toast is just painfully boring and light without at least being interesting or a good cocktail mixer it was covered up immediately and disappeared into the Basin Street. If I were to buy any of the current line it would be the Basil Hayden 10 years, though honestly, Id still take the OGD 114 over that if I could find it.
SCORE: 2.5/5
*Disclosure: The sample for this bourbon review was graciously sent to me by the company without obligation. The views, opinions, and tasting notes are 100% my own.
Basil Hayden Toast Review $45
Overall
The Whiskey Rocks Verdict
Is it good?
Basil Hayden Bourbon isnt the best bourbon youll ever try, but still, its pretty good. If youre looking for a bourbon to share with your friends and loved ones, and something that doesnt break the bank, then Basil Hayden Bourbon is your go-to whiskey.
This under-rated gem is for you if you enjoy spicier bourbons with a rich cascade of aromas and flavors. On the contrary, Basil Hayden Bourbon isnt for you if youre looking for a drink with a higher proof.
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Basil Hayden Toast Details And Tasting Notes
Toasted marshmallows, Bananas Foster, dried fruit, dried corn and a touch of nuts.
Light and sweet aroma with a slightly nutty undertone that pulls it together.
PALATE Bananas Foster, toasted mallows, coconut, dried fruit, honey, nuts and a light spice.
There is a slightly earthy note to it, but outside of that undertone its pretty light and sweet.
FINISH Short -> Bananas Foster, coconut and baking spice flash out.
BALANCE, BODY and FEEL Ok balance, light body and a thin, watery body.