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Basil Hayden’s vs Evan Williams Black Label
Comparing Basil Hayden’s and Evan Williams Black Label reveals a matchup between a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple and a traditional, even-keeled Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Basil Hayden’s | Evan Williams Black Label |
|---|---|---|
| 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) | 86 proof (43% ABV) +6 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$38 – $45 | ~$14 – $18 ~$26 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.
Evan Williams Black Label
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Basil Hayden’s Evan Williams Black Label
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 6/4 spice: Basil Hayden’s 6 out of 10, Evan Williams Black Label 4 out of 10
oak 3/5 oak: Basil Hayden’s 3 out of 10, Evan Williams Black Label 5 out of 10
sweetness 5/6 sweetness: Basil Hayden’s 5 out of 10, Evan Williams Black Label 6 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: Basil Hayden’s 5 out of 10, Evan Williams Black Label 4 out of 10
heat 2/3 heat: Basil Hayden’s 2 out of 10, Evan Williams Black Label 3 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Basil Hayden’s 3 out of 10, Evan Williams Black Label 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The gap between these two is mostly about spice.
- 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.
- Evan Williams Black Label: The everyday black label, and a perfectly competent well bourbon. Softer and sweeter than the bonded version, with less to say but nothing objectionable.
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 Evan Williams Black Label if you want a dependable, inexpensive mixing bourbon and nothing more complicated than that at a lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, highball (Basil Hayden’s); cocktails, highball, rocks (Evan Williams Black Label).