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Basil Hayden’s vs Old Forester 86 Proof
Basil Hayden’s and Old Forester 86 Proof are cut from similar cloth: two takes on high-rye bourbons, where the real difference is price (~$38 – $45 vs. ~$20 – $26).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Basil Hayden’s | Old Forester 86 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) | 86 proof (43% ABV) +6 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$38 – $45 | ~$20 – $26 ~$19 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 86 Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Basil Hayden’s Old Forester 86 Proof
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 5/6 sweetness: Basil Hayden’s 5 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 6 out of 10
spice 6/5 spice: Basil Hayden’s 6 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10
oak 3/4 oak: Basil Hayden’s 3 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 4 out of 10
heat 2/3 heat: Basil Hayden’s 2 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Basil Hayden’s 5 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Basil Hayden’s 3 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land close together on every flavor axis — the differences are in texture and proof more than character.
- 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 86 Proof: The entry bottling and the cheapest way to meet the Old Forester banana-and-caramel signature. Thin at 86 proof, but it costs very little and mixes well.
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 86 Proof if you want the Old Forester house character at the lowest possible price.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, highball (Basil Hayden’s); cocktails, highball, rocks (Old Forester 86 Proof).