Crafted in 1992 by Booker Noe as part of the Small Batch collection, Basil Hayden introduced a more subtle side of bourbon compared to its counterparts.

This style of bourbon was inspired by 1792 whiskey pioneer Meredith Basil Hayden, Sr., a rye farmer from Maryland who moved to Kentucky and began distilling. He chose to distill his bourbon with a higher percentage of rye, and Booker set out to create a similar high-rye mash bill that would offer the same refined, approachable taste profile.

Today, this bourbon stands as a tribute to Meredith Basil Hayden, Sr.’s high-rye mash bill ingenuity, as well as to Booker Noe, a true innovator who sought to welcome new drinkers into whiskey.

Tasting Notes

AROMA: Charred oak and sweet notes of vanilla & caramel with hints of dried fruit

TASTE: Charred oak flavor that is complemented with sweet brown sugar, a touch of black pepper, and dried fruit to round it out

FINISH: A pleasant, lingering charred oak finish with a touch of dried fruit

COLOR: Golden brown

Enjoy the following Cocktail Recipe: 

* 4 oz (120 ml) boiling water
* 2 oz (60 ml) Basil Hayden's Bourbon
* 2 dashes walnut bitters
* 1 tbsp (14 g) butter
* Cinnamon stick, for garnish
* 1 lemon

Bring the water to a boil. Add your whiskey straight into a coftee or tea glass. Add the water, bitters and butter, and then stir with a cinnamon stick until the butter is dissolved. Then, to make a string of lemon for garnish, use a lemon zester or sharp paring knife to gently go around the top of the lemon to create a spiral. Cean up the excess with the paring knife.  Garnish the drink with a string of lemon and a cinnamon stick. Great for colds!

Blending is an art form, and our Dark Rye is your chance to own what might very well be a masterpiece. It all begins with Kentucky Rye, providing a firm foundation of spice, oak, dried fruit and subtle molasses undertones for this release to build upon. From there, Canadian Rye from our award-winning Alberta Distillery is skillfully layered in. A touch of California Port, and its complementary notes of ripe fruit, provides the third and final layer to a whiskey just as at home on the rocks as it is in a cocktail. Full in flavor, yet delicately nuanced, you’d be wise to grab a bottle of our Dark Rye to experience this magical blend for yourself.

Tasting Notes

AROMA: Oaky notes balanced with dark berries and molasses

TASTE: Complex blend of caramel, dried fruit, and oak with back notes of spice and a rounded mouthfeel

FINISH: Lingering dried fruit with a hint of sweetness and rye spice

COLOR: Deep, rich amber with ruby undertones

Our newest addition to the family is making a name for itself by becoming our first rye whiskey with this distinguished of an age statement.

Bottled at 80 proof, the mashbill features a slightly spicy, yet approachable, rye resulting in an elegantly complex taste profile and a golden honey hue. This light, yet full-flavored, rye is sure to please any palate. Serving neat, with a drop of water, or on the rocks opens up all of the flavors that were developed from ten years of aging, such as spice, oak, caramel, and tobacco. This rye can be easily enjoyed without the burn associated with higher-proof whiskeys.

Tasting Notes

AROMA: Sweet vanilla and oak with a touch of light fruit

TASTE: Approachable spice and oak notes with hints of caramel

FINISH: Faint tobacco and warm cinnamon heat

COLOR: Golden honey

We've partnered with Wildsam Field Guides to create Points of Interest: An Uncommon Conversation Guide. It's a collection of intriguing information gathered from less-explored corners of the country. Together we invite you to unfold it on the table, pour a few glasses, and share some unexpected discoveries.

ONCE UPON A TIME IN KENTUCKY A BASIL HAYDEN HISTORY

Crafted in 1992 by Booker Noe as part of the Small Batch collection, Basil Hayden introduced a more subtle side of bourbon compared to its counterparts.

This style of bourbon was inspired by 1792 whiskey pioneer Meredith Basil Hayden, Sr., a rye farmer from Maryland who moved to Kentucky and began distilling. He chose to distill his bourbon with a higher percentage of rye, and Booker set out to create a similar high-rye mash bill that would offer the same refined, approachable taste profile.

Today, this bourbon stands as a tribute to Meredith Basil Hayden, Sr.’s high-rye mash bill ingenuity, as well as to Booker Noe, a true innovator who sought to welcome new drinkers into whiskey.

TASTING NOTES

AROMA: Charred oak and sweet notes of vanilla & caramel with hints of dried fruit

TASTE: Charred oak flavor that is complemented with sweet brown sugar, a touch of black pepper, and dried fruit to round it out

FINISH: A pleasant, lingering charred oak finish with a touch of dried fruit

COLOR: Golden brown

The latest permanent release from Basil Hayden consists of an entirely new brown rice mashbill and a secondary finish in toasted barrels. The result is a bourbon with less spice, and deepened notes of sweet caramel with a bright, light mouthfeel.

Bail Hayden 10 Year Old Bourbon Whiskey is a special, extra aged seasonal offering that will be made available as a limited edition whiskey each holiday season. Bottled at 80 proof, the extra maturation of this high rye bourbon in American oak barrels is said to offer “an additional layer of complexity” that “delivers heightened oak aromas along with hints of char and vanilla while maintaining Basil Hayden trademark spice in every sip.”

Maker Notes

Basil Hayden Subtle Smoke features the same high-rye mash bill that Basil Hayden loyalists know and love, but uses secondary aging to deliver a unique, layered flavor with a refined hint of smokiness.

We begin by toasting and lightly charring the secondary barrel. This is followed by delicately igniting hickory-smoked chips at a constant feed to produce smoke, which is then pumped into the barrel, resulting in notes of soft char and light butterscotch. This unique flavor provides a smoother, more subtle take on smoky spirits, and creates the perfectly sophisticated, yet approachable introduction to both bourbon and Basil Hayden.

TASTING NOTES

COLOR: Deep, rich amber with copper undertones

AROMA: A mellow smoke character with a hint of sweet vanilla

FLAVOR: Soft char with a light sweetness reminiscent of butterscotch and maple

FINISH: Crisp yet delicate smokiness with light toasted hickory wood

A special release partially aged in Californian red wine casks

TASTING NOTES

COLOR: Toasted brown with amber hues

AROMA: Dried fruit notes with cherry & vanilla, hint of toasted oak

TASTE: Sweet ambrosia with complex levels of charred oak

FINISH: Warm with a crisp, delicate mouthfeel

Crafted in 1992 by Booker Noe as part of the Small Batch collection, Basil Hayden introduced a more subtle side of bourbon compared to its counterparts.

This style of bourbon was inspired by 1792 whiskey pioneer Meredith Basil Hayden, Sr., a rye farmer from Maryland who moved to Kentucky and began distilling. He chose to distill his bourbon with a higher percentage of rye, and Booker set out to create a similar high-rye mash bill that would offer the same refined, approachable taste profile.

Today, this bourbon stands as a tribute to Meredith Basil Hayden, Sr.’s high-rye mash bill ingenuity, as well as to Booker Noe, a true innovator who sought to welcome new drinkers into whiskey.

Tasting Notes

AROMA: Charred oak and sweet notes of vanilla & caramel with hints of dried fruit

TASTE: Charred oak flavor that is complemented with sweet brown sugar, a touch of black pepper, and dried fruit to round it out

FINISH: A pleasant, lingering charred oak finish with a touch of dried fruit

COLOR: Golden brown

Enjoy the following Cocktail Recipe: 

* 4 oz (120 ml) boiling water
* 2 oz (60 ml) Basil Hayden's Bourbon
* 2 dashes of walnut bitters
* 1 tbsp (14 g) butter
* Cinnamon stick, for garnish
* 1 lemon

Bring the water to a boil. Add your whiskey straight into a coffee or tea glass. Add the water, bitters, and butter, and then stir with a cinnamon stick until the butter is dissolved. Then, to make a string of lemon for garnish, use a lemon zester or sharp paring knife to gently go around the top of the lemon to create a spiral. Clean up the excess with the paring knife.  Garnish the drink with a string of lemon and a cinnamon stick. Great for colds!

INTRODUCING BASIL HAYDEN MALTED RYE KENTUCKY STRAIGHT RYE MALT WHISKEY
Experience the more refined side of rye, with a glass of our newest release that delivers an unexpected softness and 100% malted rye mash bill.

MASTERFULLY MALTED, PERFECTLY SPICED.
Basil Hayden Malted Rye introduces an entirely new flavor profile within the Rye category. It is a unique take on rye whiskey that delivers an unexpected softness and approachability. Basil Hayden Malted Rye leverages a malting process that transforms the rye grain to deliver a more subtle, mellow spice with delicate sweet & floral notes. The 100% malted rye mash bill imparts a delicate floral aroma and soft notes of vanilla and toasted rye bread, with a light finish of chocolate and warm spice. Bottled at 80 proof, Malted Rye offers a well-rounded, lighter, approachable and refined taste profile.

TASTING NOTES

AROMA: Floral/dill, hints of oak & caramel, subtle spice

TASTE: Cinnamon, sweet, vanilla, toasted rye bread

FINISH: Delicate notes of chocolate and warm spice

COLOR: Light amber