Basil Hayden 10 Year is an elegant, age stated expression of the brand's signature high rye bourbon, taking the approachable style Basil Hayden is loved for and giving it a full decade of maturation. Part of Beam Suntory's acclaimed Small Batch Collection and distilled by the James B. Beam Distilling Co. in Clermont and Frankfort, Kentucky, it builds on the high rye mashbill that traces back to Meredith Basil Hayden Sr., the eighteenth century distiller who pioneered the use of generous rye content in Kentucky bourbon. Ten years in newly charred American oak adds a deeper layer of complexity to that classic recipe, drawing out bold oak, rich caramel sweetness, and vanilla, with the brand's characteristic rye spice carrying through the finish. Introduced as a limited release, this expression rewards the patient drinker with greater depth and refinement than the standard bottling while preserving the gentle, easy going character of the house style. Bottled at the signature Basil Hayden 80 proof, it is soft, smooth, and notably free of the heat associated with higher proof whiskeys, making it exceptionally easy to sip and savor. The aroma offers sweet caramel, vanilla, and oak, leading to a balanced palate where the high rye spice plays beautifully against the sweetness developed over a decade in the barrel, before an even, refined finish. Best enjoyed neat or over a single large cube so the flavors built over ten years can fully open up. For the Basil Hayden enthusiast, the bourbon drinker who appreciates an aged but approachable pour, or the collector drawn to limited age stated releases, this is a graceful and rewarding bottle.
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 |
10 Year, Small Batch, Age Stated, Limited Release |
| Age |
10 Years |
| Maturation |
Newly Charred American Oak |
| ABV |
40% |
| Proof |
80 |
| Bottle Size |
750ml |
| Country |
United States |
Tasting Notes
Color: Rich golden amber.
Nose: Sweet caramel, vanilla, and bold oak with a hint of rye spice.
Palate: Smooth and balanced, with caramel sweetness, vanilla, and oak playing against the brand's signature high rye spice.
Finish: Even and refined, with lingering rye spice and gentle oak.
FAQ
What is Basil Hayden 10 Year Bourbon? It is an age stated version of the brand's signature high rye Kentucky straight bourbon, aged a full ten years and released in limited quantities for added depth and complexity.
What proof is it? It is bottled at 80 proof, or 40 percent ABV, in keeping with the gentle, approachable Basil Hayden house style.
How is it different from standard Basil Hayden? It uses the same high rye bourbon recipe but is aged ten years rather than the roughly six to eight of the standard bottling, giving it more oak, depth, and refinement.
Is this the bourbon or the rye? This is the 10 Year Bourbon, a Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Basil Hayden also released a separate 10 Year Kentucky Straight Rye, which is a different product.
How should I drink it? It is best enjoyed neat or over a single large ice cube to let the decade of aging open up.
Where can I buy Basil Hayden 10 Year Bourbon online? Available here at Liquor On Broadway while stock lasts, with fast insured shipping nationwide.
