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Basil Hayden’s vs Jefferson's Reserve Very Old
Put Basil Hayden’s next to Jefferson's Reserve Very Old and you have a classic, high-rye stalwart set against a sourced, corn-forward blend.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Basil Hayden’s | Jefferson's Reserve Very Old |
|---|---|---|
| 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) | 90.2 proof (45.1% ABV) +10 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$38 – $45 ~$19 less | ~$55 – $65 |
- Basil Hayden’s and Jefferson's Reserve Very Old do not publish an official mash bill.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 Reserve Very Old
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Basil Hayden’s Jefferson's Reserve Very Old
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 3/7 oak: Basil Hayden’s 3 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 7 out of 10
heat 2/4 heat: Basil Hayden’s 2 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 4 out of 10
sweetness 5/6 sweetness: Basil Hayden’s 5 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 6 out of 10
spice 6/5 spice: Basil Hayden’s 6 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 5 out of 10
fruit 5/6 fruit: Basil Hayden’s 5 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Basil Hayden’s 3 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 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 Reserve Very Old: The older, drier sibling of Jefferson's Very Small Batch. Buttery toffee and dried fruit sit on a firm, slightly smoky oak backbone, and the finish turns peppery and long.
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 lower price point.
- Go with Jefferson's Reserve Very Old if you want a mature, oak-driven blend with dried fruit and a dry, peppery finish at an easy proof.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, highball (Basil Hayden’s); neat, rocks (Jefferson's Reserve Very Old).