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W.L. Weller Full Proof vs Basil Hayden’s
Put W.L. Weller Full Proof next to Basil Hayden’s and you have a classic, high-wheat stalwart set against a classic, high-rye stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | W.L. Weller Full Proof | Basil Hayden’s |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 63% corn, 27% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 114 proof (57% ABV) +34 proof | 80 proof (40% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$50 – $120 | ~$38 – $45 ~$44 less |
| Availability | Allocated | Widely available easier to find |
- W.L. Weller Full Proof and Basil Hayden’s do not publish an official mash bill.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
W.L. Weller Full Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Basil Hayden’s
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
W.L. Weller Full Proof Basil Hayden’s
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 7/2 heat: W.L. Weller Full Proof 7 out of 10, Basil Hayden’s 2 out of 10
sweetness 8/5 sweetness: W.L. Weller Full Proof 8 out of 10, Basil Hayden’s 5 out of 10
spice 3/6 spice: W.L. Weller Full Proof 3 out of 10, Basil Hayden’s 6 out of 10
oak 6/3 oak: W.L. Weller Full Proof 6 out of 10, Basil Hayden’s 3 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: W.L. Weller Full Proof 4 out of 10, Basil Hayden’s 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: W.L. Weller Full 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.
- W.L. Weller Full Proof: Weller's wheated bourbon bottled at its barrel-entry proof of 114, without chill filtering. Coffee cake, caramel and cinnamon with a bold, warming body.
- 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 W.L. Weller Full Proof if you want a bold, sweet wheater bottled at barrel-entry proof 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 significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (W.L. Weller Full Proof); neat, rocks, highball (Basil Hayden’s).