Compare
Old Forester 1910 Old Fine Whisky vs Basil Hayden’s
On paper Old Forester 1910 Old Fine Whisky and Basil Hayden’s are near neighbours — both high-rye bourbons — so proof (93 vs. 80) is what actually decides it.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 1910 Old Fine Whisky | Basil Hayden’s |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | 63% corn, 27% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 93 proof (46.5% ABV) +13 proof | 80 proof (40% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$55 – $60 | ~$38 – $45 ~$16 less |
- Basil Hayden’s does not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-10; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Old Forester 1910 Old Fine Whisky
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Basil Hayden’s
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 1910 Old Fine Whisky Basil Hayden’s
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 8/3 oak: Old Forester 1910 Old Fine Whisky 8 out of 10, Basil Hayden’s 3 out of 10
sweetness 8/5 sweetness: Old Forester 1910 Old Fine Whisky 8 out of 10, Basil Hayden’s 5 out of 10
heat 4/2 heat: Old Forester 1910 Old Fine Whisky 4 out of 10, Basil Hayden’s 2 out of 10
spice 5/6 spice: Old Forester 1910 Old Fine Whisky 5 out of 10, Basil Hayden’s 6 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Old Forester 1910 Old Fine Whisky 5 out of 10, Basil Hayden’s 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Old Forester 1910 Old Fine Whisky 3 out of 10, Basil Hayden’s 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Oak is doing most of the differentiating here.
- Old Forester 1910 Old Fine Whisky: Old Forester given a second barrel, which loads it with dessert notes: toffee, buttercream and milk chocolate over heavy char. Sweet and rich for 93 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 Old Forester 1910 Old Fine Whisky if you want a double-barreled, dessert-sweet bourbon with heavy char at a modest proof.
- 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, old-fashioned (Old Forester 1910 Old Fine Whisky); neat, rocks, highball (Basil Hayden’s).