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Basil Hayden’s vs W.L. Weller Full Proof
Put Basil Hayden’s next to W.L. Weller Full Proof and you have a classic, high-rye stalwart set against a classic, high-wheat stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Basil Hayden’s | W.L. Weller Full Proof |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 63% corn, 27% rye, 10% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 80 proof (40% ABV) | 114 proof (57% ABV) +34 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$38 – $45 ~$44 less | ~$50 – $120 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Allocated |
- Basil Hayden’s and W.L. Weller Full Proof do not publish an official mash bill.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.
W.L. Weller Full Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Basil Hayden’s W.L. Weller Full Proof
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 2/7 heat: Basil Hayden’s 2 out of 10, W.L. Weller Full Proof 7 out of 10
sweetness 5/8 sweetness: Basil Hayden’s 5 out of 10, W.L. Weller Full Proof 8 out of 10
spice 6/3 spice: Basil Hayden’s 6 out of 10, W.L. Weller Full Proof 3 out of 10
oak 3/6 oak: Basil Hayden’s 3 out of 10, W.L. Weller Full Proof 6 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: Basil Hayden’s 5 out of 10, W.L. Weller Full Proof 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Basil Hayden’s 3 out of 10, W.L. Weller Full Proof 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land very differently on the palate for heat.
- 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.
- W.L. Weller Full Proof: Weller's wheated bourbon bottled at its barrel-entry proof of 114, without chill filtering. Coffee cake, caramel and cinnamon with a bold, warming body.
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 significantly lower price point.
- Go with W.L. Weller Full Proof if you want a bold, sweet wheater bottled at barrel-entry proof with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, highball (Basil Hayden’s); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (W.L. Weller Full Proof).