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Basil Hayden’s vs Woodford Reserve Double Oaked
On paper Basil Hayden’s and Woodford Reserve Double Oaked are near neighbours — both high-rye bourbons — so proof (80 vs. 90.4) is what actually decides it.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Basil Hayden’s | Woodford Reserve Double Oaked |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 63% corn, 27% rye, 10% malted barley | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 80 proof (40% ABV) | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) +10 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$38 – $45 ~$15 less | ~$50 – $62 |
- 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.
Woodford Reserve Double Oaked
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Basil Hayden’s Woodford Reserve Double Oaked
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 3/9 oak: Basil Hayden’s 3 out of 10, Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 9 out of 10
sweetness 5/8 sweetness: Basil Hayden’s 5 out of 10, Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 8 out of 10
heat 2/4 heat: Basil Hayden’s 2 out of 10, Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 4 out of 10
spice 6/5 spice: Basil Hayden’s 6 out of 10, Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 5 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Basil Hayden’s 5 out of 10, Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Basil Hayden’s 3 out of 10, Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 3 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.
- Woodford Reserve Double Oaked: A second barrel, deeply toasted, and the result is unashamedly dessert-like. Maple and caramelised sugar with heavy wood — polarising if you want restraint, excellent if you want sweetness.
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 lower price point.
- Go with Woodford Reserve Double Oaked if you want an overtly sweet, heavily oaked, dessert-leaning bourbon with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, highball (Basil Hayden’s); neat, rocks (Woodford Reserve Double Oaked).