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Basil Hayden’s vs Jim Beam Black
Basil Hayden’s and Jim Beam Black are cut from similar cloth: two takes on high-rye bourbons, where the real difference is price (~$38 – $45 vs. ~$22 – $28).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Basil Hayden’s | Jim Beam Black |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 63% corn, 27% rye, 10% malted barley | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 7 years |
| Proof | 80 proof (40% ABV) | 86 proof (43% ABV) +6 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$38 – $45 | ~$22 – $28 ~$17 less |
- Basil Hayden’s and Jim Beam Black do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Jim Beam Black
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Basil Hayden’s Jim Beam Black
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 3/6 oak: Basil Hayden’s 3 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/6 nuttiness: Basil Hayden’s 3 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 6 out of 10
spice 6/4 spice: Basil Hayden’s 6 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 4 out of 10
fruit 5/3 fruit: Basil Hayden’s 5 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 3 out of 10
sweetness 5/6 sweetness: Basil Hayden’s 5 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 6 out of 10
heat 2/3 heat: Basil Hayden’s 2 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 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.
- Jim Beam Black: The extra-aged version of the white label and a considerable step up for a few dollars more. Softer and rounder than Knob Creek with the same family peanut note, at a proof that keeps everything gentle.
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 Jim Beam Black if you want the Beam house character at its most affordable and easy-going with slightly more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, highball (Basil Hayden’s); neat, rocks, cocktails (Jim Beam Black).