Basil Hayden Toast is light bronze in my glen and a little on the thin side viscosity wise. The nose is light on ethanol with mild apple and graham cracker. It has a thin mouth feel as well. I get a nice amount of caramel sweetness that lingers throughout the sip. I get just a bit of that graham cracker from the nose on the palate as well, maybe from the rice? I get some toasted oak on the finish, but it's very mild. I really want there to be more of that toasted oak, but it's just not as prominent as with the other toasted oak bourbons I've had. There's also something there that I can't quite put my finger on, almost like an old lacquer. It's very faint, but I don't love it. I tried my second pour on ice, and I think I prefer it that way. I'm slightly disappointed with this, but my expectations may have been too high. The absence of the rye spice that features so prominently in Basil Hayden's and the Old Grandad line is very noticeable. Still, this is very easy to drink and pretty enjoyable. I'll need a few more pours before I can say if it's a favorite or just an also ran.
49.99
USD
per
Bottle