Basil Hayden Senior started making whiskey when Kentucky had only been a state for 4 years, back in 1796. Basil Hayden Sr. Thought that adding spicy rye grains to the bourbon mash would nicely compliment the sweetness of the corn. More than 200 years later, the bourbon is still made in roughly the same fashion, with the rye spiciness being noticeable on the bourbon. Let’s get into our review.
Age: 8 Years in New Oak Barrels
Proof: 80 (40% Abv)
Color: Golden color, and crystal clear.
Nose: The first thing that you notice on this is the sweet notes. The nose is full of brown sugar, molasses, and some sweet cherry notes. It is bright and inviting, with a candied sweet smell.
Palate: Sweet brown sugar notes start this off, moving into a mid palate full of vanilla and oak, that moves into a spicy cinnamon and rye finish. The sip is extremely smooth, and the brown sugar/cinnamon flavors linger long after the sip has gone.
With water:
Nose: The spicy notes come out a lot on the nose after some water is added, but there is still a lot of molasses.
Palate: The front becomes less intense with the sweet flavors, but the medley of brown sugar and cinnamon on the back really burst even more. However, the finish does not linger near as long.
Ratings:
A: 89/100
Z: 84(With Water) 88(Without Water)
O: 89/100
This is a remarkable whiskey, easily one of the better bottles we have had. The rye spice compliments the sweetness of the corn and oak perfectly, making this a much more layered and complex sip. Definitely a whiskey that needs to be enjoyed on its own, much better without any water added.
