Hannah’s Basil Hayden Toast Review
Original review written March 8, 2022
GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
Simple, but not a bad addition to the bunker. Nutty, buttery, and definitely unaggressive in terms of alcohol. I do like it, though I don’t think I’ll be pressured to repurchase. 81/100
VITALS:
– Made In: Clermont, Kentucky, USA
– Distiller: Jim Beam Distillery
– Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey; Special Finish
– Age: nas; it is believed an undisclosed portion of the bourbon receives approximately two months of additional aging in the toasted barrels, then is reintroduced to the untoasted distillate.
– Mash Bill: Corn=63%; Brown Rice=27%; Malted Barley=10%
– Casks: Char #4. Finishing barrels are slightly toasted.
– Barrel Entry Proof: unpublished
– ABV: 40% (80 proof)
– Price: $49.95 USD in Idaho 2022
Visit basilhaydenbourbon.com for more information
ENJOYMENT METHOD:
I enjoyed the bourbon neat from a Glencairn glass with father and fellow Whiskey for the Ages reviewer, Brian.
Check out his review for this bourbon here!
SETTING:
I imagine enjoying Basil Hayden Toast while anxiously waiting for cookies to cool. The whole house smells warm and rich with flavors, and your mouth is certainly watering. Maybe instead of the customary milk, I’ll pour some of this bourbon to sip with the yummy treat. Dealer’s choice on cookie type, of course ;).
Photo by Lisa Hanly on Unsplash
NOSE:
Almost burnt caramel, molasses, and ginger come across the nose first, the ginger at the end lifting the inhale in freshness. I can find anise as well as some form of baked good that is sweet, if not a little heavy. There isn’t much for fruit, aside perhaps from prunes, and other dried, spiced fruits. Earthy tones do exist in this bourbon, like wheat and almonds, and naturally, toasted wood/barrel.
There is no alcohol burn to be found, and I find myself impressed overall with the nose of this bourbon.
PALATE:
– Mouth Feel: Buttery and perhaps a little watery. I suspect this is from the lower ABV, and it certainly matches the nutty flavor character of the taste.
– Balance: It’s in balance, but I think this is largely between the mouth feel and the taste, as opposed to specific flavors on the palate directly.
– Visual: Russet in color, this has long and lasting legs that cling long after I’ve set the glass down.
– Taste: This bourbon definitely strikes as a Jim Beam product on the initial sip. Nuts abound, from pecans, to the almonds from the nose, to even raw peanuts. There is a distinct lack of alcohol burn to be found, and without it, this bourbon almost seems watery to me. (Please note that most bourbons I pour are frequently above 100 proof, if not closer to 120.) I can hold it on the palate practically indefinitely, and I’m not sure that many more flavors peak out the longer I play with it. The nuts stay strong, if not melting into a buttery consistency. A Kentucky chew coaxes out brown sugar and apples, but does little to aggravate the alcohol.
There is wood here, and again, the best description would be buttery – not exactly what I was expecting from something finished in a toasted barrel. Beyond this simplicity, I am struggling to identify many other flavors, including the heavy sweetness from the nose. There is some vanilla, and maybe a hint of the baked good (cookies?), but it’s subtle. The fruit component has all but disappeared, and the spice is akin to cinnamon that’s gone slightly stale. It tastes fine, but I don’t know if I’m wowed by this.
FINISH:
– Lasting Power: Short. This disappears immediately after the sip is gone. There is a hint of aftertaste; however, it also fades very quickly.
– Between Sips: It doesn’t come as a surprise, but more nuts linger between sips, particularly the buttery ones like walnuts. The walnuts’ bitterness is also present in this aftertaste, along with bitter apple cores. I actually am fond of apples and apple cores even, so this does not bother me.
– No More: This tastes consistent throughout the glass, but I do find myself enjoying it more and more as the glass goes on. The empty Glencairn is strong oak with a hint of spice. It’s actually more aggressive than the taste itself, and I wish the palate itself had more of this harshness.
WORTH THE PRICE?
If you don’t favor heavier proof whiskeys, and don’t mind a little simplicity, I think this one would be well-worth the price. I don’t think I’d be willing to pay $60 for it, but I do believe that Basil Hayden Toast could be a nice addition to anyone’s bunker. If you have friends you’re trying to introduce to bourbon, then consider this one approachable and budget-friendly. I don’t think I’ll be buying again necessary; however, I certainly am not upset to have this. Also note that this is definitely superior to the standard Basil Hayden 8YR (in my opinion).
BASIL HAYDEN TOAST REVIEW RATING: 81/100
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