Hello Basil Hayden’s Rye!  Basil Hayden’s was the very first Bourbon that changed my opinion and taste buds and got me started with the Bourbon bug, so let’s see how the rye stands up.

This is a part of Booker Noe’s small batch Bourbon collection.  The bottle says it’s “aged and blended with a rye re-barreled in new charred oak casks.”  Let’s see what’s on the site.

” We start by aging a traditional rye four years, then transfer it to newly charred quarter cask barrels to age an additional seven years. The smaller barrels create more contact with the oak and allows more air to breathe into the cask. The result is an incredibly deep flavor.” -www.basilhaydens.com

Hmmm, I’m not big on small barrels, I feel like it’s cheating.

Company: Beam Suntory

Distillery: Kentucky Springs Distilling Co.

Location: Frankfort, KY

Mash Bill: Unknown, but uses their traditional rye mash bill, since it does say Rye whiskey, it has to be at least 51% rye.

Age: 4 years, then an additional 7, read the intro.

ABV: 40% (80 proof)

Released: Limited.

Price: $36

Color: Golden Yellow Blonde

Nose: Vanilla, oak, sticky sweet smell kinda like oatmeal and raisins, no ethanol, refined sugar.  Not my favorite nose, but it’s fine.

Taste: Light sweetness like cheap honey, refined sugar, a bit artificial tasting I think is what I am getting at.  Not necessarily my favorite but not terrible either. Slight metallic flavor that is a bit off putting, but overall drinkable.

Finish: Light finish, no burn or with small warmth lingering. Slight caramel flavored finish.

Level: Beginner

Overall: Easy sipper just like the original, maybe even easier honestly.  I would not have expected that, I would have thought this would be more bold, but I think it’s smoother.  I think this is a bit of a disappointment.  Skip this one, unless you want an super easy sipper, or you’re a beginner! then do it.  This is a great introductory whiskey.  I think for me the best place for this is in some cocktails.  Let’s get those rolling shall we…

Rating: 2.5/5