Compare
Old Forester Statesman vs Basil Hayden’s
On paper Old Forester Statesman and Basil Hayden’s are near neighbours — both high-rye bourbons — so proof (95 vs. 80) is what actually decides it.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester Statesman | 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 | 95 proof (47.5% ABV) +15 proof | 80 proof (40% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$50 – $55 | ~$38 – $45 ~$11 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 Statesman
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Basil Hayden’s
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester Statesman Basil Hayden’s
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 8/5 sweetness: Old Forester Statesman 8 out of 10, Basil Hayden’s 5 out of 10
oak 5/3 oak: Old Forester Statesman 5 out of 10, Basil Hayden’s 3 out of 10
fruit 7/5 fruit: Old Forester Statesman 7 out of 10, Basil Hayden’s 5 out of 10
heat 4/2 heat: Old Forester Statesman 4 out of 10, Basil Hayden’s 2 out of 10
spice 5/6 spice: Old Forester Statesman 5 out of 10, Basil Hayden’s 6 out of 10
nuttiness 2/3 nuttiness: Old Forester Statesman 2 out of 10, Basil Hayden’s 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Sweetness is where these two part ways.
- Old Forester Statesman: Old Forester's fruit-forward middle child, first made for a spy movie tie-in. Bright cherry and brown sugar lead, with cocoa and a touch of the house banana note.
- 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 Statesman if you want a bright, cherry-sweet Old Forester that sits between the 100 and 1920 in weight with 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 at a slightly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Old Forester Statesman); neat, rocks, highball (Basil Hayden’s).