BOTM,11/07:Basil Haydens

[bobbyc]

This Month we'll look at another entry from Jim Beam in their Small Batch Collection, Basil Haydens. Old Granddad's youngest offspring and at a lighter proof. Some mention has occurred in the past about the expensive package and the price, but what about the bourbon in the glass.

Raise a glass to Jim Beam and the Old Granddad himself, Basil Hayden.

:893drillsergeant-thSound off:893drillsergeant-th

[camduncan]

Now there's my perfect excuse to go out and buy a bottle tonight :cool:

[WhiskeyRiver]

I'm a Maker's Mark and water guy, but when I want something neat, BH is always my choice.

[nor02lei]

Lacks proof. I would really want to taste this at 100 proof instead!

Leif

[jburlowski]

BH is actually one of my favorite pours. It was the first "real" (i.e., not JBW) bourbon that I got into. Love the rye tang. And it;s old enough to show some balance and maturity without woodiness.

I know that others will object to the low proof, but I like that aspect when I want a lighter pour, like on a hot summer day while barbecuing.

Wish the price were lower.... but that can be said for many things in life.

[cas]

This is one I'll opt for in a restaurant or bar when the choice is limited. But I don't ever buy it to have on the shelf at home. There are too many better options.

Craig

[camduncan]

I know this isn't about tasting......yet :skep:

In the available small batch collection here (I don't count the crap 'Small batch with port added' bottle Jim beam replaced Knob Creek with) - Basil Hayden (AU $70), Bakers (AU $85) and Bookers (AU $90), Basil Hayden is the cheapest. However the Small Batch Collection bourbons are the three most expensive bourbons widely distributed in this country. :bigeyes:

When I can buy two bottles of Makers Mark for $90, a bottle of Wild Turkey Russells Reserve 101 for $75, Bulleit for $45, Elijah Craig for $40 and Evan Williams Single Barrel for $45..... I have trouble justifying spending $70 on BH.

Of course, in the spirit of BOTM, I'll be buying one on my trip to the bottle shop today :grin: :cool:

[cowdery]

It's really the price, more than the low proof, that keeps me from drinking Basil Hayden's more often. Same deal with Blanton's, to which I would compare it. Both are good bourbon starters for scotch drinkers, especially drinkers of blended scotch. The low proof mainly limits your options, because you pretty much have to drink it neat if you want any flavor at all.

Beam has not followed many of the other companies in terms of frequent new product intros or limited releases, but while I think BH as it is has its place, I'd love to taste Beam's high-rye formula in maybe a 10-year-old BIB.

[HighTower]

Had some of this tonight, and enjoyed it as always.

Very easy to drink.

Scott

[Jono]

I never was a fan of this whiskey...however...after trying it again from an opened bottle purchased about 5 years ago it seems to have improved...though I won't be buying it again.

[Bailey]

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.

[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.

[barturtle]

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.

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.

[BourbonJoe]

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

Joe :usflag:

[smokinjoe]

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

JOE

[cowdery]

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

JOE

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

[Jono]

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.

[Rughi]

...at 90 proof, I'd buy a bottle or two, at 100 it'd be...

Old Grand Dad Bonded :lol:

Okay, that's not really true because of barrel selection to profile, but still...

Roger

[polyamnesia]

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

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

for light entertainment, i preferred the JD GJ...

and that's not even b o u r b o n ! ! ! !

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

[NorCalBoozer]

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.

[craigthom]

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

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?

[snakster]

:deadhorse:

I'll concur with the remarks of others.

[cowdery]

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?

Does it bear an age statement?

Beam has attempted to duplicate the OGD formula as much as possible, something it didn't do with any other brand it acquired, but the National OGD was made at a different distillery, by different people, and aged at a different location, so it's bound to be different. Also, late National-era OGD, like many bourbons sold in the late 70s and early 80s, was likely significantly older whiskey than normal, due to the glut.

[craigthom]

Does it bear an age statement?

It does! Aged 8 years.

[Solomon2]

BH was the first small batch bourbon I ever purchased. I like it some, but I generally think of it as a scotch-like drink. That's OK, but I can only drink it straight, since it lacks enough proof and distinction to drink on the rocks.

Finally, I think that BH is overpriced relative to other whiskeys, even other JB products. Why spend $21 for 750ml of BH when I can buy a liter of JBB for $18?