The small batch Kentucky straight bourbon honours the legacy of Meredith Basil Hayden, Sr., who back in the 1790s was known to use more rye in his mashbill than other distillers. (He's also the chap that Old Grand-Dad bourbon is named after.) Crafted by the great Booker Noe in 1992, Basil Hayden bourbon utilises a similar mashbill as its namesake would have used, with high rye but a lighter take on the style.
Cracked black pepper, rye, and oaky spice. Hints of green pepper, lemon peels, and creamy, zesty lemon curd.
Rice Krispies, toasted cereal progressing to popcorn with gentle marshmallow, custard cream sweetness.
Toasty popcorn with lashings of butter!
Delicious drink to enjoy alone or with friends. It has a nice smooth taste and really good neat on rocks. I love the way bottle looks in my bar. Probably a drink that will not miss my wedding table next year. I definitely recommend this drink to everyone. Cheers!
I drink whiskey from time to time, sometimes neat over ice or mixers. This has been such a pleasure to test this. I’d never heard of this brand before but after researching online, this is a very popular American bourbon tipple. This bottle is so unusual with the copper and steel strap around the middle of the bottle. And the labelling is very premium looking with the ragged ripped paper and looking as if it’s a ticket. Tasting this is honestly one of the better whiskies I’ve tried. Lovely taste of sweetness and despite it’s strong (40%) it’s very smooth. It’s fabulous over ice and to savour it. There is an unusual taste of pepper, but only a hint, not overly overpowering. I’d definitely buy this if I see it in the supermarket shelves. And possibly for forthcoming birthday or Christmas gifts for relatives.
I really enjoyed this whiskey gorgeous taste very high quality. Highly recommend
I don't normally drink bourbon but I can see myself happily drinking this one. It smells really nice in the glass. The frist sip is quite sharp but mellows out from there. I really like the dried fruit finish as it gives the whiskey lovely sweetness and a gret character.
First off, I love the packaging...without even tasting this bourbon, I liked it. The bottle has a metal hoop around it...my own miniature whiskey barrel. I took the bottle to a friend's house for a dinner party. Everyone there like bourbon, but certainly not connoisseurs. But we all took the tasting quite seriously! We saved the Basil Hayden for an after-dinner tipple, and it was perfect. We all agreed it's not quite as smooth as some of the other bourbons we've tried, but it had a nice peppery kick to it, and a lovely lingering aftertaste. There was just enough sweetness to satisfy that after dinner dessert craving as well. We all drank it straight or over ice, so can't comment on it's versatility in cocktails, but we agreed we'd try it in Old Fashiooneds next time.
