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Basil Hayden’s vs Larceny Barrel Proof
Comparing Basil Hayden’s and Larceny Barrel Proof reveals a matchup between a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple and an uncut, wheated heavyweight.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Basil Hayden’s | Larceny Barrel Proof |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | 63% corn, 27% rye, 10% malted barley | 68% corn, 20% wheat, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 80 proof (40% ABV) | 124 proof (62% ABV) +44 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$38 – $45 ~$21 less | ~$55 – $70 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- Basil Hayden’s does 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.
Larceny Barrel Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Basil Hayden’s Larceny Barrel Proof
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 2/9 heat: Basil Hayden’s 2 out of 10, Larceny Barrel Proof 9 out of 10
sweetness 5/9 sweetness: Basil Hayden’s 5 out of 10, Larceny Barrel Proof 9 out of 10
spice 6/3 spice: Basil Hayden’s 6 out of 10, Larceny Barrel Proof 3 out of 10
oak 3/6 oak: Basil Hayden’s 3 out of 10, Larceny Barrel Proof 6 out of 10
fruit 5/6 fruit: Basil Hayden’s 5 out of 10, Larceny Barrel Proof 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Basil Hayden’s 3 out of 10, Larceny Barrel Proof 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land very differently on the palate for heat.
- 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.
- Larceny Barrel Proof: The wheated recipe at full barrel strength, and a genuinely dense pour. Thick caramel and baked fruit carry the heat well, and it takes water more gracefully than most bottles at this proof.
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 Larceny Barrel Proof if you want wheated sweetness with barrel-proof concentration, without the Weller price or hunt with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, highball (Basil Hayden’s); neat (Larceny Barrel Proof).