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Larceny Barrel Proof vs Basil Hayden’s
Comparing Larceny Barrel Proof and Basil Hayden’s reveals a matchup between an uncut, wheated heavyweight and a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Larceny Barrel Proof | Basil Hayden’s |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon, Barrel Proof | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 68% corn, 20% wheat, 12% malted barley | 63% corn, 27% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 124 proof (62% ABV) +44 proof | 80 proof (40% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$55 – $70 | ~$38 – $45 ~$21 less |
| Availability | Limited | Widely available easier to find |
- 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
Larceny Barrel Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Basil Hayden’s
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Larceny Barrel Proof Basil Hayden’s
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 9/2 heat: Larceny Barrel Proof 9 out of 10, Basil Hayden’s 2 out of 10
sweetness 9/5 sweetness: Larceny Barrel Proof 9 out of 10, Basil Hayden’s 5 out of 10
spice 3/6 spice: Larceny Barrel Proof 3 out of 10, Basil Hayden’s 6 out of 10
oak 6/3 oak: Larceny Barrel Proof 6 out of 10, Basil Hayden’s 3 out of 10
fruit 6/5 fruit: Larceny Barrel Proof 6 out of 10, Basil Hayden’s 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Larceny Barrel Proof 3 out of 10, Basil Hayden’s 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land very differently on the palate for heat.
- Larceny Barrel Proof: The wheated recipe at full barrel strength, and a genuinely dense pour. Thick caramel and baked fruit carry the heat well, and it takes water more gracefully than most bottles at this proof.
- 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 Larceny Barrel Proof if you want wheated sweetness with barrel-proof concentration, without the Weller price or hunt with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
- 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.
Best enjoyed neat (Larceny Barrel Proof); neat, rocks, highball (Basil Hayden’s).