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Basil Hayden’s vs Willett Pot Still Reserve
Put Basil Hayden’s next to Willett Pot Still Reserve and you have a classic, high-rye stalwart set against a contemporary, corn-forward craft build.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Basil Hayden’s | Willett Pot Still Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional 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) | 94 proof (47% ABV) +14 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$38 – $45 ~$11 less | ~$45 – $60 |
- Basil Hayden’s and Willett Pot Still Reserve do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Willett Pot Still Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Basil Hayden’s Willett Pot Still Reserve
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 3/6 oak: Basil Hayden’s 3 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 6 out of 10
sweetness 5/7 sweetness: Basil Hayden’s 5 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 7 out of 10
heat 2/4 heat: Basil Hayden’s 2 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 4 out of 10
spice 6/5 spice: Basil Hayden’s 6 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 5 out of 10
fruit 5/6 fruit: Basil Hayden’s 5 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Basil Hayden’s 3 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- 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.
- Willett Pot Still Reserve: Famous first for the pot-still-shaped decanter and second for the whiskey, which is a fair ordering. Pleasant, sweet and fruit-leaning, with a good deal of the price attached to the glass.
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 Willett Pot Still Reserve if you want a distinctive bottle on the shelf and an easy, fruit-forward pour inside it with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, highball (Basil Hayden’s); neat, rocks (Willett Pot Still Reserve).