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Basil Hayden’s vs Horse Soldier Barrel Strength
Comparing Basil Hayden’s and Horse Soldier Barrel Strength reveals a matchup between a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple and an uncut, wheated heavyweight.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Basil Hayden’s | Horse Soldier Barrel Strength |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | 63% corn, 27% rye, 10% malted barley | 70% corn, 20% wheat, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 80 proof (40% ABV) | 111 proof (55.5% ABV) +31 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$38 – $45 ~$40 less | ~$78 – $85 |
- Basil Hayden’s and Horse Soldier Barrel Strength do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Horse Soldier Barrel Strength
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Basil Hayden’s Horse Soldier Barrel Strength
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 2/7 heat: Basil Hayden’s 2 out of 10, Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 7 out of 10
oak 3/6 oak: Basil Hayden’s 3 out of 10, Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 6 out of 10
sweetness 5/7 sweetness: Basil Hayden’s 5 out of 10, Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 7 out of 10
spice 6/5 spice: Basil Hayden’s 6 out of 10, Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 5 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Basil Hayden’s 5 out of 10, Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Basil Hayden’s 3 out of 10, Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Proof and heat dominate the difference.
- 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.
- Horse Soldier Barrel Strength: A barrel-strength wheater from the veteran-founded Horse Soldier brand. Brown sugar and toasted oak lead, baking spice and heat follow, and a splash of water pulls out darker fruit.
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 Horse Soldier Barrel Strength if you want a big, barrel-strength wheated bourbon with plenty of brown sugar and warmth with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, highball (Basil Hayden’s); neat, old-fashioned (Horse Soldier Barrel Strength).