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Basil Hayden’s vs Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon
Comparing Basil Hayden’s and Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon reveals a matchup between a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple and a sourced, wheated blend.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Basil Hayden’s | Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 63% corn, 27% rye, 10% malted barley | 72% corn, 18% wheat, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 5 years |
| Proof | 80 proof (40% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +20 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$38 – $45 ~$11 less | ~$49 – $55 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- Basil Hayden’s and Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Basil Hayden’s Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 3/6 oak: Basil Hayden’s 3 out of 10, Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon 6 out of 10
heat 2/5 heat: Basil Hayden’s 2 out of 10, Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon 5 out of 10
sweetness 5/7 sweetness: Basil Hayden’s 5 out of 10, Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon 7 out of 10
fruit 5/3 fruit: Basil Hayden’s 5 out of 10, Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon 3 out of 10
nuttiness 3/5 nuttiness: Basil Hayden’s 3 out of 10, Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon 5 out of 10
spice 6/5 spice: Basil Hayden’s 6 out of 10, Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon 5 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.
- Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon: A Notre Dame-licensed wheater given a second, double-oaked barrel. Maple, honey butter and toasted nuts lead, with charred wood and pepper on a long, warm finish.
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 Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon if you want a double-oaked wheater with maple, toasted nuts and charred wood with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, highball (Basil Hayden’s); neat, old-fashioned (Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon).