Basil Hayden Bourbon

History The recipe of this remarkable bourbon dates back to 1796, when Basil Hayden himself was a master distiller. Hayden was born and raised in Maryland, where he learned to make whiskey from rye. When he came to Kentucky, Hayden began making whiskey from a base of corn, but added a higher percentage of rye than other distillers, resulting in a smooth, mild bourbon that was distinctly his own.
Distinctions Basil Hayden’s is unique in that it utilizes twice as much rye in it as the other bourbons in the Collection. This abundance of rye gives it a slightly peppery taste and aroma, perfect for sipping on the rocks. Aged eight years at a relatively mild 80 proof, Basil Hayden's has a broad appeal and is delicious in mixed cocktails.
Tasting Notes Age: 8 yearsProof: 80 Color: Golden amberAroma: Spice, tea, hint of peppermint Taste: Spicy, peppery, honey, light-bodied, gentle biteFinish: Dry, clean, brief Award: Silver Medal Bourbon- Wine Enthusiast Comments: "Basil Hayden’s is one of the best ultra-premium bourbons that you can find. It’s a good example of what a classic bourbon is like. It’s absolutely brilliant."The Small Batch Bourbon Collection represents the very best in bourbon, each handcrafted in limited quantities using time-honored recipes. These special recipes allow each Small Batch Bourbon to be distinctively different. As Booker Noe, Jim Beam's grandson and master distiller emeritus says: "This is bourbon the way it used to be, the way it was meant to be."

Small Batch Bourbons a Taste of Heaven

The common practice when tasting whiskey (whisky) is to cut the spirit with water. In my opinion, these Bourbons were distilled to drink neat, thus water was not used to dilute any of the whiskeys.

Baker's / Kentucky Straight Bourbon / 7 Years Old / 107 Proof
Medium-tawny amber color; grainy/oatmeal aroma with floral and spice notes; creamy caramel flavors, smooth, vanilla accents; long finish with some heat. [Jim Beam Brands]
Booker's / Unfiltered Cask Strength Kentucky Straight Bourbon / 6-8 Years Old / 125.3 Proof
Deep, tawny amber color; deeply set vanilla, caramel and charred smoky oak aroma; woody flavors, some wood tannins over a pleasant and inviting honeyed flavor; long, powerful finish; not for the weak of heart or constitution. [Jim Beam Brands]
Elijah Craig / Kentucky Straight Bourbon / 12 Years Old / 94 Proof
Medium, nut brown color; spicy aroma, low-intensity, roasted nut and floral accents; creamy texture, nut and caramel notes; some bite in the finish. [Heaven Hill Distillers, Inc.]
Basil Hayden's / Kentucky Straight Bourbon / 80 Proof
Pale, golden amber color; delicate, brown sugar and honey aroma with roasted nut and spice accents; soft and smooth entry, brown sugar notes, spice and tea; medium-smooth finish. [Jim Beam Brands]
Knob Creek / Kentucky Straight Bourbon / 9 Years Old / 100 Proof
Medium-tawny amber color; fruity aroma with spice, vanilla and nutmeg notes; soft entry, creamy caramel, slight sweetness; long, persistent, easy-drinking finish. [Jim Beam Brands]

Small Batch Bourbons...Oh So Good !

By using two different grain formulas (the regular Jim Beam formula and the 'high rye' Old Grand-Dad formula), different ages, different bottling proofs, and different filtering techniques, Jim Beam has come up with four distinctive small batch Bourbons: Basil Hayden is from the high-rye formula, bottled at a fairly standard alcoholic content of 40%. Knob Creek shares the high-rye formula, but is well-aged and then bottled at a higher proof -- 50%. Baker's uses the standard Jim Beam formula, but is aged for seven years and bottled at 53.5% Finally, there is Booker's Bourbon. Booker's Bourbon uses the standard Jim Beam formula and is aged for six-eight years, but what makes Booker's unique is that it is the only Bourbon on the market that is then bottled unfiltered and without any added water at whatever the barrel strength happens to be -- usually around 125° proof. It goes straight from the barrel into the bottle. As Booker himself puts it, "this is the way it was a hundred years ago, the way my grandfather, Jim Beam, made Bourbon before Prohibition. Back then they didn't go through all this chilling and filtering. So Booker's Bourbon is different, it's got more natural barrel flavor in it." I'll Drink to That! http://media.jimbeam.com/video/jimbeamheritagealt56k.wmv