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Basil Hayden’s vs E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel
Comparing Basil Hayden’s and E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel reveals a matchup between a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple and a traditional, even-keeled Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Basil Hayden’s | E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 63% corn, 27% rye, 10% malted barley | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 80 proof (40% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +20 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$38 – $45 ~$64 less | ~$70 – $140 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Allocated |
- Basil Hayden’s and E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel do not publish an official mash bill.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
Basil Hayden’s
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Basil Hayden’s E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 3/8 oak: Basil Hayden’s 3 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 8 out of 10
heat 2/5 heat: Basil Hayden’s 2 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 5 out of 10
sweetness 5/6 sweetness: Basil Hayden’s 5 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 6 out of 10
spice 6/5 spice: Basil Hayden’s 6 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Basil Hayden’s 3 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 4 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Basil Hayden’s 5 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 5 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.
- E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel: Single barrels from the warehouse Colonel Taylor built, bonded at 100 proof. More oak and more concentration than the small batch, and one of the most sought-after regular releases Buffalo Trace makes.
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 significantly lower price point.
- Go with E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel if you want the most concentrated bonded expression of the Buffalo Trace profile, and the hunt does not deter you with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, highball (Basil Hayden’s); neat (E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel).