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Basil Hayden’s vs Old Forester 100 Proof
Comparing Basil Hayden’s and Old Forester 100 Proof reveals a matchup between a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple and a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Basil Hayden’s | Old Forester 100 Proof |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 63% corn, 27% rye, 10% malted barley | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 80 proof (40% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +20 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$38 – $45 | ~$26 – $32 ~$13 less |
- 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 Forester 100 Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Basil Hayden’s Old Forester 100 Proof
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 3/6 oak: Basil Hayden’s 3 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 6 out of 10
heat 2/5 heat: Basil Hayden’s 2 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 5 out of 10
sweetness 5/7 sweetness: Basil Hayden’s 5 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 7 out of 10
spice 6/6 spice: Basil Hayden’s 6 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 6 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Basil Hayden’s 5 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Basil Hayden’s 3 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 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.
- Old Forester 100 Proof: The bottle most people should buy from this range: the same recipe as the 86 with enough proof to actually taste it. One of the strongest arguments on the shelf for spending six dollars more.
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 Old Forester 100 Proof if you want the best value in the Old Forester range and a superb old-fashioned base.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, highball (Basil Hayden’s); neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Old Forester 100 Proof).