Compare
Basil Hayden’s vs Old Forester 1870 Original Batch
Comparing Basil Hayden’s and Old Forester 1870 Original Batch is a closer contest than it looks — both are high-rye bourbons, separated mainly by proof (80 vs. 90).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Basil Hayden’s | Old Forester 1870 Original Batch |
|---|---|---|
| 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) | 90 proof (45% ABV) +10 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$38 – $45 ~$9 less | ~$45 – $55 |
- 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 1870 Original Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Basil Hayden’s Old Forester 1870 Original Batch
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 5/7 sweetness: Basil Hayden’s 5 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 7 out of 10
spice 6/4 spice: Basil Hayden’s 6 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 4 out of 10
oak 3/5 oak: Basil Hayden’s 3 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 5 out of 10
fruit 5/6 fruit: Basil Hayden’s 5 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 6 out of 10
heat 2/3 heat: Basil Hayden’s 2 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 3 out of 10
nuttiness 3/2 nuttiness: Basil Hayden’s 3 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 2 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Sweetness is where these two part ways.
- 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 1870 Original Batch: The first bottle in Old Forester's Whiskey Row Series, recreating the founder's habit of blending barrels from three warehouses. It is the lightest of the series, caramel sweet and easy.
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 slightly lower price point.
- Go with Old Forester 1870 Original Batch if you want the gentlest, most easygoing pour in the Whiskey Row Series with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, highball (Basil Hayden’s); neat, rocks, highball (Old Forester 1870 Original Batch).