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Basil Hayden’s vs Jefferson’s Very Small Batch
Put Basil Hayden’s next to Jefferson’s Very Small Batch and you have a classic, high-rye stalwart set against a sourced, corn-forward blend.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Basil Hayden’s | Jefferson’s Very Small Batch |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 63% corn, 27% rye, 10% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 80 proof (40% ABV) | 82.3 proof (41.1% ABV) +2 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$38 – $45 | ~$28 – $36 ~$10 less |
- Basil Hayden’s and Jefferson’s Very Small Batch do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Jefferson’s Very Small Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Basil Hayden’s Jefferson’s Very Small Batch
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 6/4 spice: Basil Hayden’s 6 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 4 out of 10
sweetness 5/6 sweetness: Basil Hayden’s 5 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 6 out of 10
oak 3/4 oak: Basil Hayden’s 3 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 4 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Basil Hayden’s 5 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 5 out of 10
heat 2/2 heat: Basil Hayden’s 2 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 2 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Basil Hayden’s 3 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 3 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.
- Jefferson’s Very Small Batch: A blend of sourced barrels bottled at a very gentle 82.3 proof. Easy and inoffensive, but thin enough that it is hard to recommend over bonded bottles costing less.
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 Jefferson’s Very Small Batch if you want an especially soft, low-proof pour and gentleness matters more than intensity at a slightly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, highball (Basil Hayden’s); rocks, cocktails, highball (Jefferson’s Very Small Batch).