PBMichiganWolverine
Basil Hayden's Two By Two Rye (Discontinued)
Rye — Kentucky, USA
Reviewed
October 24, 2018 (edited November 14, 2018)
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.
45.0
USD
per
Bottle
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@cascode totally agree. In a nice setting, even Jim Beam Cinnamon taste amazing
@PBMichiganWolverine Set and setting have a big impact on spirit appreciation. I never feel I have an accurate picture of a whisky until I've worked through a bottle over an extended time.
@dubz480 I’ve heard the same. I’m just baffled as to why I really liked this at the whiskey show, and now with a full bottle, it’s somewhat disappointing
Great review! Thank you for saving me the bottle splurge! I have heard the dark rye is better. Have yet to try either.