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Basil Hayden’s vs Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
Put Basil Hayden’s next to Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond and you have a classic, high-rye stalwart set against a classic, high-rye stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Basil Hayden’s | Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 4 years |
| Proof | 80 proof (40% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +20 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 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Basil Hayden’s Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 3/7 oak: Basil Hayden’s 3 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10
heat 2/5 heat: Basil Hayden’s 2 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
sweetness 5/7 sweetness: Basil Hayden’s 5 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10
spice 6/6 spice: Basil Hayden’s 6 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Basil Hayden’s 5 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Basil Hayden’s 3 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- 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 1897 Bottled-in-Bond: The bonded entry in the Whiskey Row series and a noticeable step up in density from the standard 100. More oak and more weight, though the price gap to the 100 proof is harder to justify than the flavour gap suggests.
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 1897 Bottled-in-Bond if you want a bonded, denser take on the Old Forester profile with more barrel behind it with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, highball (Basil Hayden’s); neat, old-fashioned (Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond).