Brian’s Basil Hayden Toast Review:
reviewed 08-March-2022
BASIL HAYDEN TOAST BOURBON REVIEW:
Released in late 2021, Basil Hayden Toast Bourbon (BH Toast) is the latest addition to the Basil Hayden line-up. Its mash bill is made with brown rice instead of and I am intrigued. Still, at just 80 proof (like all Basil Hayden offerings), this sat on our shelves for about three and a half months before we decided to put it in the review rotation. While this is a simple whiskey, there are some nice nuances and I think it has a place in the bunker … Think gateway bourbon. It definitely will not wow the seasoned drinker and it should NEVER be bought above MSRP, but there are distinct aromas and flavors most novices should be able to detect.
BASIL HAYDEN TOAST VITAL STATS:
Category: Bourbon, Finished Bourbon
Region: Clermont, KY
Distillery: DSP-KY-230 James B. Beam Distilling Co.
Mash Bill: 63% Corn, 27% Brown Rice, 10% Malted Barley (brown rice replaces the typical rye to create a softer, less spicy taste)
Barrel Char: #4
Finishing Barrels: Slowly toasted. Toasted barrels add spice and vanilla notes.
Barrel entry proof: unpublished
Age: nas, an undisclosed portion of the bourbon receives approximately two months of additional aging in the toasted barrels then is reintroduced to the untoasted distillate.
ABV: 40% (80 Proof)
NABCA CSC #: 16685
Price: $49.95 (Idaho, February 2022)
No batch or bottle number identifiers
“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.”
— Basil Hayden website
Learn more at Basil Hayden® Toast Bourbon.
ENJOYMENT METHOD FOR THE REVIEW:
Alternate pours, equaling about four ounces, were added into two Glencairns. My daughter and I enjoyed the bourbon neat for this review.
Check out her review for this bourbon here!
BASIL HAYDEN TOAST NOSE:
The nose of BH Toast is light and while simple, there are aromas I rarely sense in a bourbon … a bit of faint finger nail polish for one, but not so strong it becomes off-putting. I also scent dried field corn, plum, banana and some undefined dried fruit. There is a trace amount of allspice but overall this bourbon smells sweet. I get rich vanilla, caramelized sugar, toasted marshmallows and faint notes of light brown sugar sprinkled over Rice Krispies cereal and cashews. These aromas dance with and around plenty of toasted oak.
BASIL HAYDEN TOAST PALATE:
The first sip of BH Toast presents with an unexpected sour unripe apple mixed with a little light citrus. After I recalibrate to this taste, I get plums and dried figs dusted with powdered ginger and a pinch of black pepper. But as mentioned above, sweetness rules here. Rich vanilla, caramelized sugar and maple syrup enhance faint almond notes. There is also some wood if I take my time. I taste light toasted oak, barrel spice and an earthy note from the barrels in the form of BBQ Applewood smoke. While this bourbon tastes fine, the flavors are quite gentle.
Balance, Body, Feel and Look:
As I nose BH Toast, I see long clinging legs and hanging droplets in the glass. These leave a nice crown above a light russet colored pool. Imagine my surprise when my first sip though soft, smooth and warm left a watery mouthfeel. Of course it is easy to hold but I feel a bit cheated by the display
BASIL HAYDEN TOAST FINISH:
Basil Hayden Toast Bourbon has a short finish with mild warmth owing to the low ABV. As on the nose and palate, dried corn and light citrus pass through as does a hint of faint banana. There is a bit of pepper here too, as well as the rich vanilla, buttery sweet caramel and light toasted oak with the sweet Applewood smoke sensed on the nose and palate. And when the last dram is gone, a balanced perfume of all the aromas and flavors waft from the Glencairn.
MY RATING: 86/100
Will I buy this whiskey again? MAYBE
I would replace an empty bottle only if I were expecting novice guests and I was looking to introduce them to something mild and sweet.
Click to read Brian’s scoring process.
Click 86/100 to review other whiskeys with awarded this score.
To access other whiskies from this brand, click Basil Hayden.
WHISKEY TRAITS, FLAVOR NOTES AND PROFILE GRAPH:
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