Basil Haydens Kentucky Straight Bourbon 0,7 l

The Basil Hayden’s is part of the Jim Beam small batch collection. The brand Basil Hayden’s was introduced in 1992 but its roots can be traced back to 1796. This mild bourbon whiskey has a beautiful dark golden sheen and a full as well as mellow bouquet.

On the nose the aromas of vanilla, sweet caramel, spices, oak and a slight hint of peppermint construct a nice complexity. On the palate the higher portion of rye is particularly detectable and brings a certain aromatic spiciness and power, though the body which is not too heavy. Furthermore, the flavours of honey, pepper and vanilla leave a delicious impression and turn towards a slight dryness. Thus, the mild finish is dry as well and offers nuances of oak.

The Basil Hayden’s Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey has a mild character but at the same time a comparably spicy flavour. This results from the higher amount of rye in the mash compared to other bourbon. In fact it contains twice as much rye as other bourbons of the Jim Beam small batch family.

Additionally, the whiskey is artfully aged, as it is stated on the bottle. Older releases had an age statement of eight years and the current Basil Hayden’s character suggests that everything proceeded without huge changes.

Basil Hayden Sr. was a master distiller and created a bourbon whiskey in 1796 that broke with the conventions. In order to receive a more complex dram he produced his spirits with a higher amount of rye in the mash.

This style was carried on by his grandson Raymond B. Hayden and today by Beam Suntory. At Jim Beam the Basil Hayden’s is part of the small batch collection. It consists of three further brands, which are Booker’s, Baker’s and Knob Creek.

All of them are delectable bourbons and once again Jim Beam shows that they know how to produce fantastic whiskeys.

• San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2011
  Double Gold
• International Wine & Spirit Competition 2009
  Silver (Best in Class)