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Basil Hayden’s vs Old Forester Statesman
On paper Basil Hayden’s and Old Forester Statesman are near neighbours — both high-rye bourbons — so proof (80 vs. 95) is what actually decides it.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Basil Hayden’s | Old Forester Statesman |
|---|---|---|
| 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) | 95 proof (47.5% ABV) +15 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$38 – $45 ~$11 less | ~$50 – $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 Statesman
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Basil Hayden’s Old Forester Statesman
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 5/8 sweetness: Basil Hayden’s 5 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 8 out of 10
oak 3/5 oak: Basil Hayden’s 3 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 5 out of 10
fruit 5/7 fruit: Basil Hayden’s 5 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 7 out of 10
heat 2/4 heat: Basil Hayden’s 2 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 4 out of 10
spice 6/5 spice: Basil Hayden’s 6 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/2 nuttiness: Basil Hayden’s 3 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 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 Statesman: Old Forester's fruit-forward middle child, first made for a spy movie tie-in. Bright cherry and brown sugar lead, with cocoa and a touch of the house banana note.
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 Statesman if you want a bright, cherry-sweet Old Forester that sits between the 100 and 1920 in weight with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, highball (Basil Hayden’s); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Old Forester Statesman).