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Basil Hayden’s vs Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat
Basil Hayden’s and Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an old-guard, rye-forward classic versus a new-wave, wheat-forward craft style.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Basil Hayden’s | Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 63% corn, 27% rye, 10% malted barley | 53% corn, 39% wheat, 8% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 6 years |
| Proof | 80 proof (40% ABV) | 106 proof (53% ABV) +26 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$38 – $45 ~$11 less | ~$50 – $55 |
- Basil Hayden’s does 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
Basil Hayden’s
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Basil Hayden’s Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 6/3 spice: Basil Hayden’s 6 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 3 out of 10
fruit 5/8 fruit: Basil Hayden’s 5 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 8 out of 10
heat 2/5 heat: Basil Hayden’s 2 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 5 out of 10
sweetness 5/7 sweetness: Basil Hayden’s 5 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 7 out of 10
oak 3/5 oak: Basil Hayden’s 3 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/2 nuttiness: Basil Hayden’s 3 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 2 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Rye spice is the dividing line here.
- 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.
- Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat: Because wheat makes up a massive 39% of the mash bill, this pour trades the aggressive spice of rye for a softer, oily mouthfeel. Expect bright fruit notes like ripe apricot and lemon on the nose, transitioning to pastry dough, light oak, and a creamy creme brulee sweetness balanced by a mild peppery backbone.
Which One Should You Choose?
- 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 at a slightly lower price point.
- Go with Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat if you want a softer, fruit-forward, contemporary profile with a richer, oily texture and lower emphasis on traditional oak with significantly more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, highball (Basil Hayden’s); neat, rocks (Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat).