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Basil Hayden’s vs Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon
Comparing Basil Hayden’s and Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon reveals a matchup between a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple and a modern, wheated craft expression.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Basil Hayden’s | Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 63% corn, 27% rye, 10% malted barley | 75% corn, 15% wheat, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 4 years |
| Proof | 80 proof (40% ABV) | 87 proof (43.5% ABV) +7 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$38 – $45 | ~$40 – $45 |
- 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.
Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon
Didn't care for this one.
Flavor Profile
Basil Hayden’s Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 6/2 spice: Basil Hayden’s 6 out of 10, Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon 2 out of 10
sweetness 5/6 sweetness: Basil Hayden’s 5 out of 10, Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon 6 out of 10
oak 3/4 oak: Basil Hayden’s 3 out of 10, Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon 4 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: Basil Hayden’s 5 out of 10, Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon 4 out of 10
heat 2/3 heat: Basil Hayden’s 2 out of 10, Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon 3 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Basil Hayden’s 3 out of 10, Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon 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.
- Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon: A farm-to-bottle wheater from northern Illinois. Soft red winter wheat keeps it gentle and bready, with caramel and vanilla up front and very little bite at 87 proof.
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 Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon if you want a soft, easygoing wheated bourbon made start to finish on one Midwest farm with slightly more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, highball (Basil Hayden’s); rocks, highball, cocktails (Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon).