Compare
Basil Hayden’s vs Bulleit Bourbon
Comparing Basil Hayden’s and Bulleit Bourbon is a closer contest than it looks — both are high-rye bourbons, separated mainly by proof (80 vs. 90).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Basil Hayden’s | Bulleit Bourbon |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 63% corn, 27% rye, 10% malted barley | 68% corn, 28% rye, 4% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 80 proof (40% ABV) | 90 proof (45% ABV) +10 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$38 – $45 | ~$25 – $32 ~$13 less |
- 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.
Bulleit Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Basil Hayden’s Bulleit Bourbon
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 3/5 oak: Basil Hayden’s 3 out of 10, Bulleit Bourbon 5 out of 10
heat 2/4 heat: Basil Hayden’s 2 out of 10, Bulleit Bourbon 4 out of 10
spice 6/7 spice: Basil Hayden’s 6 out of 10, Bulleit Bourbon 7 out of 10
sweetness 5/5 sweetness: Basil Hayden’s 5 out of 10, Bulleit Bourbon 5 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Basil Hayden’s 5 out of 10, Bulleit Bourbon 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Basil Hayden’s 3 out of 10, Bulleit Bourbon 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- 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.
- Bulleit Bourbon: The bottle that put high-rye bourbon in every cocktail bar in the country. Peppery and dry with the familiar MGP dill note, and it earns its place behind the bar more than in a glass on its own.
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.
- Go with Bulleit Bourbon if you want a dry, peppery, high-rye bourbon built for cocktails and available absolutely everywhere at a lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, highball (Basil Hayden’s); old-fashioned, cocktails, highball (Bulleit Bourbon).