Basil Hayden Toast

It’s okay. Light. Smooth. Not complex. Not sure why there was so much hype.

A litter warmer than Basil Hayden. I’ll stick with the original.

It’s Basil Hayden so the low proof hurts this offering IMHO. The nose is better than the dram. The taste is short, thin and unremarkable. I have avoided BH and finally caved. It exactly what I expected. I saw someone post is better than EC toasted. IMO that a huge reach. EC toasted has all that marshmallows, Vanilla , Carmel and graham cracker tastes you expect from a toasted but it’s 14 proof points higher so it makes for richer flavors. Personally I wouldn’t buy this again.

Decent - better than EC toasted N- Orange, apples, vanilla , redhots, P- vanilla - leather F- nice - warm- slight linger- fruit and vanilla - redhots - would be excellent if it lasted longer- nice heat and burn- just ended too soon-

BH TOAST *NOSE: Wheat Toast w/ Tangly Apple Preserves, Orange & Lemon Peel, Peach, Spice Rack, Dried Oak, with a Boozy Heat in the background. Very good! Hold on to your Glencairn when you're finished, wait an hour or so, and be rewarded with a nose of Apples, Cinnamon, and Brown Sugar. *NEAT: This is an odd one. Just a General Sweetness up Front at first, but after a few sips I get notes of Apple Butter, Cinnamon Sugar, Honey, and some Orange. The Oak shows up Mid to Back of Palate, but not in the strength I was expecting from something that was essentially barreled twice. A Little Heat on the Finish with a coating of Cinnamon Toast Crunch lingering and layering on the palate. After some time, I get a taste reminiscent of Sticky, Slightly Burnt Rice. That's the first indicator that there is Rice in the Mashbill, and I'm wondering if it's there or just the power of suggestion? Not a traditional Bourbon Profile, but I like it. *SPLASH: Just a little water and both Nose and Palate get more of the Orange Note and there's maybe just a touch more Cinnamon on the finish. The Splash also makes you wonder how much better this would be with a few more proof points on the label. *VERDICT: This is good. There's a lot going on for an 80 Proofer. It is different. One of the few (if not only) Beam Product that I recall not having at least some type of Peanut Funk, and the only time I can recall using Apple Butter as a tasting note. I do feel it's a bit overpriced in the $50's, but such is life in today's Whiskey World. *As a side note, if this and the latest release of BH Dark Rye are indicators, we may be seeing the last of the "Basil Hayden Bib". I'll count that as a positive development.

Fine

I’m disappointed and I bought this bottle based upon the marketing hype. I’m saying this not because of the proof point (clearly this is basil Hayden product so I don’t get people who buy this and are critical of the low proof). This bottle is just not my ideal flavor profile. I don’t know if it is the flavor of the brown rice from the mash bill that I catch on the finish. It’s not bad, just not my thing. My wife thought it was a nice sipper if you want something lighter with some fruity undertones.