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Basil Hayden’s vs Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond
Basil Hayden’s and Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an old-guard, rye-forward classic versus an old-guard, wheat-forward classic.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Basil Hayden’s | Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 63% corn, 27% rye, 10% malted barley | 68% corn, 20% wheat, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 9 years |
| Proof | 80 proof (40% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +20 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$38 – $45 ~$104 less | ~$110 – $180 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Allocated |
- 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.
Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Basil Hayden’s Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 6/2 spice: Basil Hayden’s 6 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 2 out of 10
oak 3/7 oak: Basil Hayden’s 3 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10
sweetness 5/8 sweetness: Basil Hayden’s 5 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 8 out of 10
heat 2/4 heat: Basil Hayden’s 2 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10
fruit 5/6 fruit: Basil Hayden’s 5 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Basil Hayden’s 3 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The gap between these two is mostly about spice.
- 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.
- Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond: The decanter series, released twice a year at varying ages, and Heaven Hill's most serious wheated statement. Age shows as polished oak and stewed fruit rather than tannin, but you pay handsomely for the bottle.
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 Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond if you want an aged, bonded wheater in a presentation bottle and the price is not the obstacle with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, highball (Basil Hayden’s); neat (Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond).