Basil Hayden's Two By Two Rye (Discontinued)

I first had this months ago, at a tasting, where I was pleasantly surprised. Maybe it hid behind all the other samples I had. I walked out of that tasting liking two samples I had: this and a Knob Creek cask strength rye. I liked this enough to buy a bottle. This time around, I was just plain disappointed. I finally opened it tonight to share with a few colleagues. It seems as if the bourbon and rye really just didn’t play well together here. Flavors seem muddled between the two, each fighting for dominance. I’m all up for innovative experimentation, although this rye-bourbon marriage isn’t innovative anymore, it’s been tried and tested by others that have done a much better job in execution ( High West Bourye). But innovative experimentation is only as good as the execution. This is a case where I thought the rye isn’t exerting itself, nor is the bourbon. Ideally, it should’ve been the sweetness of the bourbon up front, followed by the spicy rye on finish. But, this has both arm wrestling throughout. Try at bar, buy a bottle, or skip? I’d say try at bar.

Bit of spicyness, but still plenty sweet to the bourbon side

11 dollar pour at bar, neat first than small amount of water. Easy sipper you can taste both rye and bourbon like their fighting for dominance lightly. Different but no wow factor, nothing hangs on the tongue. Good beginner rye.

Super smooth. Hints of vanilla and a little nutty finish.