Basil Hayden - Toast - Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
$55
Basil Hayden – Toast – Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Proof: 80
Age: No Age Statement
Distillery: James B Beam Distilling Company
Type: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Mash: 63% Corn, 27% Brown Rice, 10% Malted Barley
Website: Basil Hayden
*Disclaimer: A score of 5 is the midpoint for my reviews. Above 5 I like it. Below 5 I didn’t for some reason. Most of my reviews are between 4-7. It takes something really really special to go above 7 or below 4. See the methodologies for rating at the end of the article
Nose: First on the nose is Citrus. I get Orange Push-Pop (Sweet, Creamy Orange) of the bat. Then Caramel, Mild Vanilla, Toffee, Brown Sugar, & Cereal Grains with a hint of holiday spice mixed in.
Taste/Palate: Sweet and Light. Caramel, a little Vanilla, Mild Cherry, Brown Sugar, and a little Orange Peel.
Finish: A tiny bit of alcohol heat hits on the finish. In the finish you get most of what’s mentioned above melded together. The only things I get coming from the finish that differs from above is a little late spice and Pine Nut.
Verdict: Have you ever purchased a cola, pop, or soda from a drive thru? They pack that thing with ice. Then you let it sit too long. When you finally drink it you get 50% pop and 50% melted ice. Well that’s what I get out of Basil Hayden Toast on the palate. It’s very very smooth and delicate, but you almost forget you are enjoying a Bourbon. At the $50+ that it costs for this bottle I will pass in the future. The remainder of my current bottle will sit on my shelf for someone who wants a mild bourbon. Or maybe try their first neat pour converting from on-the-rocks. There is nothing about this that stands out other than how cool the bottle looks with the metal belt. I’m sure I’m not the only one that wished Basil Hayden was proofed up a bit.
The Story: One of my local stores posted a picture of 6 bottles of 1792 Twelve Year. I jumped in my truck and arrived 20 minutes later. All of the 1792s were gone. I looked over the shelves and this was sitting on the counter right next to where the 1792 was previously kept. The storekeeper said that people have been going bonkers over the Toast and maybe I should try it. Ok, I’ll bite. And that brings us to our review here today.
Funny side-story. I had a guest at my house. Behind me at my bar I have over 100 different bourbons. These bourbons have a very large range. A range from Pappy Van Winkle, to Parker Heritage, Old Fitz, Knob Creek(s), Widow Jane(s), Hill Rock, McKenna’s… You get the picture. They looked over my selection and said they hadn’t heard of any of them. This guest was not huge into Bourbons and that is ok. They specifically asked if I had Basil Hayden. My answer at the time was no. I used up my last bottle for mixers. I did get a chuckle that Basil was what they asked for given what selection I had at arms length. This story is probably another reason why I gravitated towards the BH Toast. If you were vested in the story of my friend at my house, he is now getting into Bourbon and recently reported to me that he tried a few different ones after I gave him IW Harper 15 and Russell’s 10. He really liked Makers Mark and when compared to Basil he like Makers better. I then pointed him in the direction of wheated bourbons. He’s now moving on to Larceny and Heaven Hill Products.
The Distillery’s Story: I’ll keep this short. Basil Hayden is a Beam Suntory company. It’s their mid-level offering that should be a shelf above standard Jim Beam. It provides a bar with a solid go-to Bourbon offering that likely won’t offend anyone. The standard once a year drinker can enjoy this on a rare night out or a Bourbon regular also won’t usually turn their nose up at it. Given that Beam has offerings from rail, to midshelf, to upper shelf and high cask strengths in Bookers. They have covered the market and Basil Hayden has their place in that product line.
In Summary: I know, I know, this is a slightly low rating. Basil Hayden Toast just didn’t hit all the notes right with me. The nose was pretty good, but once I got into the taste it was a little flat. I prefer Bourbon with more depth and character. If you like a smooth drinker this might be for you. I’m a member of a few Bourbon Hunting forums and people are fighting over this bottle. I’m totally fine with that and recognize that my taste doesn’t align with everyone. When I’m hosting someone and offering a bourbon I don’t typically offer what I like. I ask what their favorite pour is and I attempt to match what I have on hand with what they like. A Bourbon Sommelier if you will. I’ll keep this bottle on hand for others, as it’s not for me. I’ll revisit this pour in a week or so and update this review in the future if I have a different impression. This does happen for me from time to time. I tried Old Elk – Wheated Bourbon (Review still in the works) and at first it wasn’t up my alley. Within a week of trying it I came back and it was night and day different. Even sitting in the glass for 5 minutes it opened up and had much more to offer. The bottle of Basil Hayden didn’t open up in the glass, but maybe time will do it some good.
Methodologies for Rating:
1. Dump it down the drain or regift it to someone you don’t care for.
2. This doesn’t even belong in a mixed drink. Use in case of an emergency.
3. It’s really not for me, but I heard some people like it.
4. Its only good when I’ve had too many and it’s decent in a mixer.
5. Solid. It hit all of what’s expected.
6. Above average. Good to bring to an event and you wouldn’t expect any guff from it.
7. Buy two if you see it to make sure you have one on reserve.
8. Very Very good. Constantly a GREAT POUR.
9. Superb. If I were to drink this and only this from now on I’d be a happy person.
10. Perfection is impossible. But this really comes as close as you can possibly get.
Nose, Palate, and Finish I rank regardless of cost. Value (recent addition) is ranked based on taste vs price.
Reviewer: David S
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