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Basil Hayden’s vs Rebel 100
Put Basil Hayden’s next to Rebel 100 and you have a classic, high-rye stalwart set against a sourced, high-wheat blend.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Basil Hayden’s | Rebel 100 |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 63% corn, 27% rye, 10% malted barley | 68% corn, 20% wheat, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 80 proof (40% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +20 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$38 – $45 | ~$20 – $25 ~$19 less |
- Basil Hayden’s and Rebel 100 do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Rebel 100
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Basil Hayden’s Rebel 100
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 6/2 spice: Basil Hayden’s 6 out of 10, Rebel 100 2 out of 10
heat 2/5 heat: Basil Hayden’s 2 out of 10, Rebel 100 5 out of 10
sweetness 5/7 sweetness: Basil Hayden’s 5 out of 10, Rebel 100 7 out of 10
oak 3/4 oak: Basil Hayden’s 3 out of 10, Rebel 100 4 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: Basil Hayden’s 5 out of 10, Rebel 100 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Basil Hayden’s 3 out of 10, Rebel 100 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Rye spice is the dividing line 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.
- Rebel 100: A budget wheater at a useful proof. Sweet vanilla, honey and caramel with soft bread notes and very little rye bite.
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 Rebel 100 if you want a sweet, 100-proof wheater for mixing and easy sipping at a lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, highball (Basil Hayden’s); rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Rebel 100).