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Basil Hayden’s vs New Riff Bottled-in-Bond
Comparing Basil Hayden’s and New Riff Bottled-in-Bond reveals a matchup between a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple and a modern, spice-driven craft expression.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Basil Hayden’s | New Riff Bottled-in-Bond |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 63% corn, 27% rye, 10% malted barley | 65% corn, 30% rye, 5% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 4 years |
| Proof | 80 proof (40% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +20 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$38 – $45 | ~$38 – $45 |
- 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.
New Riff Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Basil Hayden’s New Riff Bottled-in-Bond
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 2/6 heat: Basil Hayden’s 2 out of 10, New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10
spice 6/9 spice: Basil Hayden’s 6 out of 10, New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 9 out of 10
oak 3/5 oak: Basil Hayden’s 3 out of 10, New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
sweetness 5/4 sweetness: Basil Hayden’s 5 out of 10, New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Basil Hayden’s 5 out of 10, New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Basil Hayden’s 3 out of 10, New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Proof and heat dominate the difference.
- 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.
- New Riff Bottled-in-Bond: At 30% rye this is about as spice-forward as bourbon gets before becoming rye whiskey. Peppery and herbal with mint and dill, non-chill-filtered for texture, and noticeably dry rather than sweet.
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 New Riff Bottled-in-Bond if you want aggressive rye spice and a dry, herbal profile from a modern craft distillery with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, highball (Basil Hayden’s); neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (New Riff Bottled-in-Bond).