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Four Roses Bourbon vs Basil Hayden’s
Four Roses Bourbon and Basil Hayden’s are cut from similar cloth: two takes on high-rye bourbons, where the real difference is price (~$22 – $28 vs. ~$38 – $45).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Four Roses Bourbon | Basil Hayden’s |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 20% rye, 5% malted barley | 63% corn, 27% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 80 proof (40% ABV) | 80 proof (40% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$22 – $28 ~$17 less | ~$38 – $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
Four Roses Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Basil Hayden’s
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Four Roses Bourbon Basil Hayden’s
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 6/5 sweetness: Four Roses Bourbon 6 out of 10, Basil Hayden’s 5 out of 10
spice 5/6 spice: Four Roses Bourbon 5 out of 10, Basil Hayden’s 6 out of 10
fruit 6/5 fruit: Four Roses Bourbon 6 out of 10, Basil Hayden’s 5 out of 10
oak 3/3 oak: Four Roses Bourbon 3 out of 10, Basil Hayden’s 3 out of 10
heat 2/2 heat: Four Roses Bourbon 2 out of 10, Basil Hayden’s 2 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Four Roses Bourbon 3 out of 10, Basil Hayden’s 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land close together on every flavor axis — the differences are in texture and proof more than character.
- Four Roses Bourbon: The yellow label entry point, blending all ten Four Roses recipes at a gentle 80 proof. Light and fruity to a fault, but the house floral character is already recognisable and it mixes beautifully.
- 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.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Four Roses Bourbon if you want the Four Roses fruit-and-floral signature at its lightest and cheapest.
- 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.
Best enjoyed cocktails, highball, rocks (Four Roses Bourbon); neat, rocks, highball (Basil Hayden’s).