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Basil Hayden’s vs Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea
Comparing Basil Hayden’s and Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea reveals a matchup between a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple and a sourced, even-keeled blend.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Basil Hayden’s | Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea |
|---|---|---|
| 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) | 90 proof (45% ABV) +10 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$38 – $45 ~$36 less | ~$70 – $85 |
- Basil Hayden’s and Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea do not publish an official mash bill.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 Ocean Aged at Sea
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Basil Hayden’s Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 3/6 oak: Basil Hayden’s 3 out of 10, Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea 6 out of 10
spice 6/4 spice: Basil Hayden’s 6 out of 10, Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea 4 out of 10
sweetness 5/6 sweetness: Basil Hayden’s 5 out of 10, Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea 6 out of 10
heat 2/3 heat: Basil Hayden’s 2 out of 10, Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea 3 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Basil Hayden’s 5 out of 10, Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Basil Hayden’s 3 out of 10, Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Oak is doing most of the differentiating 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 Ocean Aged at Sea: Bourbon that spends months rocking in a ship's hold. Each voyage tastes a little different, but expect caramel and dark sugar with a savory, faintly salty edge from the trip.
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 Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea if you want a conversation-piece bourbon with a savory, slightly briny twist from aging at sea with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, highball (Basil Hayden’s); neat, rocks (Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea).