Basil Hayden Toast is one of the most distinctive bottles in the Basil Hayden small batch lineup, a Kentucky straight bourbon that breaks from tradition in two notable ways. First, it swaps the brand's signature high rye grain for brown rice, building its mashbill on roughly 63 percent corn, 27 percent brown rice, and 10 percent malted barley. Where rye brings spice, the brown rice lends a gentle sweetness and a softer, rounder character with less peppery bite. Second, after its standard maturation, a portion of the bourbon is given a secondary aging in barrels that are first toasted with a long, gentle proprietary heat and then flash charred, a process that draws out deep, dessert like notes of caramel, vanilla, and roasted oak. That toasted barrel bourbon is then blended back with brown rice bourbon aged in traditional number four char barrels to create the final whiskey, and it is the toasting step that gives Toast both its name and its rich, baked character. Crafted by the James B. Beam Distilling Co. in Clermont and Frankfort, Kentucky, and bottled at a gentle, approachable 80 proof, it leads with buttered toast, light brown sugar, caramel toffee, and a touch of cinnamon and soft smoke on the nose, followed by a creamy palate of butterscotch, dark honey, and vanilla, finishing with toasted oak and a whisper of black pepper. Smooth, sweet, and easy to love, it is an excellent gateway bourbon and a flavorful, low proof sipper. Enjoy it neat, on the rocks, or stirred into an Old Fashioned or aperitif style cocktail.
ABV / Proof
| Brand |
Basil Hayden |
| Distillery |
James B. Beam Distilling Co. (DSP-KY-230), Clermont / Frankfort, Kentucky |
| Producer |
Beam Suntory |
| Category |
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey |
| Expression |
Toast, Small Batch, Toasted Barrel |
| Mashbill |
63% Corn, 27% Brown Rice, 10% Malted Barley |
| Maturation |
New Charred Oak, with secondary aging in toasted then flash charred barrels |
| ABV |
40% |
| Proof |
80 |
| Bottle Size |
750ml |
| Country |
United States |
Tasting Notes
Color: Warm golden amber.
Nose: Buttered toast, light brown sugar, caramel toffee, cinnamon, and a touch of campfire smoke.
Palate: Creamy and soft, with butterscotch, dark honey, brown sugar, and light ginger.
Finish: Toasted oak and vanilla with subtle black pepper and caramel.
FAQ
What makes Basil Hayden Toast different? It uses brown rice in place of the usual rye in its mashbill, and a portion is given a secondary aging in toasted then flash charred barrels, giving it a softer, sweeter, more dessert like character than a traditional bourbon.
What is the mashbill? It is approximately 63 percent corn, 27 percent brown rice, and 10 percent malted barley, with the brown rice replacing the rye normally used in Basil Hayden.
What proof is it? It is bottled at 80 proof, or 40 percent ABV, in keeping with the gentle, approachable Basil Hayden style.
Is it really a bourbon? Yes. It is labeled and sold as a Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. The brown rice acts as the flavoring grain in place of rye, while corn remains the dominant grain.
How should I drink it? It is smooth enough to enjoy neat or on the rocks, and its sweet, toasted profile works beautifully in an Old Fashioned.
Where can I buy Basil Hayden Toast online? Available here at Liquor On Broadway while stock lasts, with fast insured shipping nationwide.
