Compare
Jefferson’s Very Small Batch vs Basil Hayden’s
Put Jefferson’s Very Small Batch next to Basil Hayden’s and you have a blender-built, corn-forward bottling set against a classic, high-rye stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Jefferson’s Very Small Batch | Basil Hayden’s |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 63% corn, 27% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 82.3 proof (41.1% ABV) +2 proof | 80 proof (40% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$28 – $36 ~$10 less | ~$38 – $45 |
- Jefferson’s Very Small Batch and Basil Hayden’s do not publish an official mash bill.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
Jefferson’s Very Small Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Basil Hayden’s
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Jefferson’s Very Small Batch Basil Hayden’s
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 4/6 spice: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 4 out of 10, Basil Hayden’s 6 out of 10
sweetness 6/5 sweetness: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 6 out of 10, Basil Hayden’s 5 out of 10
oak 4/3 oak: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 4 out of 10, Basil Hayden’s 3 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 5 out of 10, Basil Hayden’s 5 out of 10
heat 2/2 heat: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 2 out of 10, Basil Hayden’s 2 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 3 out of 10, Basil Hayden’s 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Rye spice is the dividing line here.
- Jefferson’s Very Small Batch: A blend of sourced barrels bottled at a very gentle 82.3 proof. Easy and inoffensive, but thin enough that it is hard to recommend over bonded bottles costing less.
- 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 Jefferson’s Very Small Batch if you want an especially soft, low-proof pour and gentleness matters more than intensity at a slightly lower price point.
- 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 rocks, cocktails, highball (Jefferson’s Very Small Batch); neat, rocks, highball (Basil Hayden’s).