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Jim Beam Black vs Basil Hayden’s
Jim Beam Black 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 | Jim Beam Black | Basil Hayden’s |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley | 63% corn, 27% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | 7 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 86 proof (43% ABV) +6 proof | 80 proof (40% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$22 – $28 ~$17 less | ~$38 – $45 |
- Jim Beam Black and Basil Hayden’s do not publish an official mash bill.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
Jim Beam Black
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Basil Hayden’s
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Jim Beam Black Basil Hayden’s
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 6/3 oak: Jim Beam Black 6 out of 10, Basil Hayden’s 3 out of 10
nuttiness 6/3 nuttiness: Jim Beam Black 6 out of 10, Basil Hayden’s 3 out of 10
spice 4/6 spice: Jim Beam Black 4 out of 10, Basil Hayden’s 6 out of 10
fruit 3/5 fruit: Jim Beam Black 3 out of 10, Basil Hayden’s 5 out of 10
sweetness 6/5 sweetness: Jim Beam Black 6 out of 10, Basil Hayden’s 5 out of 10
heat 3/2 heat: Jim Beam Black 3 out of 10, Basil Hayden’s 2 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Oak is doing most of the differentiating here.
- Jim Beam Black: The extra-aged version of the white label and a considerable step up for a few dollars more. Softer and rounder than Knob Creek with the same family peanut note, at a proof that keeps everything gentle.
- 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 Jim Beam Black if you want the Beam house character at its most affordable and easy-going with slightly more proof behind it.
- 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 neat, rocks, cocktails (Jim Beam Black); neat, rocks, highball (Basil Hayden’s).