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1792 Small Batch vs Basil Hayden’s
1792 Small Batch and Basil Hayden’s are cut from similar cloth: two takes on high-rye bourbons, where the real difference is proof (93.7 vs. 80).
Key Specifications
| Feature | 1792 Small Batch | Basil Hayden’s |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 63% corn, 27% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 93.7 proof (46.9% ABV) +14 proof | 80 proof (40% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$26 – $34 ~$12 less | ~$38 – $45 |
- 1792 Small Batch and Basil Hayden’s do not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
1792 Small Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Basil Hayden’s
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
1792 Small Batch Basil Hayden’s
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 6/3 oak: 1792 Small Batch 6 out of 10, Basil Hayden’s 3 out of 10
heat 5/2 heat: 1792 Small Batch 5 out of 10, Basil Hayden’s 2 out of 10
sweetness 6/5 sweetness: 1792 Small Batch 6 out of 10, Basil Hayden’s 5 out of 10
spice 7/6 spice: 1792 Small Batch 7 out of 10, Basil Hayden’s 6 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: 1792 Small Batch 4 out of 10, Basil Hayden’s 3 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: 1792 Small Batch 5 out of 10, Basil Hayden’s 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Oak is doing most of the differentiating here.
- 1792 Small Batch: Barton's flagship and one of the most under-discussed bottles at its price. A high-rye character with cocoa and orange peel, and considerably more going on than the shelf position suggests.
- Basil Hayden’s: Built on the high-rye Old Grand-Dad mash but bottled at just 80 proof, which makes it the lightest thing in the Beam range by a distance. Peppery and herbal, but very thin — the price reflects the packaging more than the liquid.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with 1792 Small Batch if you want an overlooked, spice-forward Kentucky bourbon that punches above its price with more proof behind it.
- Go with Basil Hayden’s if you want an unusually light, peppery, low-proof pour and you do not want any weight in the glass.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (1792 Small Batch); neat, rocks, highball (Basil Hayden’s).