BOTM,11/07:Basil Haydens

Even in Washington you can get BH but I have always stayed away because frankly I thought they might be compensating for something with the packaging. But in the spirit of BOTM I went out this afternoon and picked one up. It is about $37 here, which is about $3 cheaper than Bakers and $16 cheaper than Bookers but $5 more than KC. Rather than drinking it on its own I decided to do a little blind taste test. I am pretty new to the bourbon scene so the blind taste test gave me quite a bit of insight about my own preferences. In order of preference I liked PVW15, KC, Bakers, Bookers, EC12, WTRB, Eagle Rare, MM and BH. There were some close calls but to be honest the most obvious thing to me was that BH was my least favorite pour among them. I am going to have to try it again tomorrow night but right now I can see all of that fancy packaging sitting on my shelf for a long time. At least it looks nice.

My first impression of Basil Hayden's: "Expensive for 80 proof".
It's been awhile since I've had it because, well, it's expensive for 80 proof.
I remember liking it pretty well. But, then, it's expensive for 80 proof.

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Originally Posted by TNbourbon

My first impression of Basil Hayden's: "Expensive for 80 proof".
It's been awhile since I've had it because, well, it's expensive for 80 proof.
I remember liking it pretty well. But, then, it's expensive for 80 proof.

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I completely agree. I don't think I've ever had this outside of a bar...specifically a bar where I was doing the pouring...at 90 proof, I'd buy a bottle or two, at 100 it'd be a regular pour.

I agree with Tim, Chuck and Lief. Needs more punch and a lower price.
Joe :usflag:

If Basil Haydens were 100 proof, how close would it be to OGD 100 BIB?

JOE

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Originally Posted by smokinjoe

If Basil Haydens were 100 proof, how close would it be to OGD 100 BIB?

JOE

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Pretty close. The difference would be the age. OGD BIB is probably 4-5 years old, whereas BH is at least 8.

It always struck me as a bit thin and woody in an unpleasant way...not charred oak but more like putting the nice wooden band on the bottle on your tongue...oh well...individual tastes vary.

it is too light...i mean, too LITE.

and as others have concurred, for the price...

for light entertainment, i preferred the JD GJ...:rolleyes:
and that's not even b o u r b o n ! ! ! !

(JB distilleries...are ya listenin' ??)

Price is a factor with me as well. I believe it's 80 proof and I have many more things I would rather try right now for that price point.

I think it would be cool, with the increasing prices of the bourbons, if manufactures would move towards also putting out a 375 ml size so we wouldn't have to spend $40+ just to "try" something. I guess i could just buy several 50 mls or wait till i happened upon it at a party/friends house.

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Originally Posted by cowdery

Pretty close. The difference would be the age. OGD BIB is probably 4-5 years old, whereas BH is at least 8.

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Today I picked up some OGD 86 8 yo. How close is that going to be? I'm pretty sure this is ND OGD, so will that make it less like Basil Hayden?