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Woodford Reserve Double Oaked vs Basil Hayden’s
On paper Woodford Reserve Double Oaked and Basil Hayden’s are near neighbours — both high-rye bourbons — so proof (90.4 vs. 80) is what actually decides it.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Woodford Reserve Double Oaked | 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 | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) +10 proof | 80 proof (40% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$50 – $62 | ~$38 – $45 ~$15 less |
- 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
Woodford Reserve Double Oaked
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Basil Hayden’s
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Woodford Reserve Double Oaked Basil Hayden’s
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 9/3 oak: Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 9 out of 10, Basil Hayden’s 3 out of 10
sweetness 8/5 sweetness: Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 8 out of 10, Basil Hayden’s 5 out of 10
heat 4/2 heat: Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 4 out of 10, Basil Hayden’s 2 out of 10
spice 5/6 spice: Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 5 out of 10, Basil Hayden’s 6 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 5 out of 10, Basil Hayden’s 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 3 out of 10, Basil Hayden’s 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Oak is doing most of the differentiating here.
- Woodford Reserve Double Oaked: A second barrel, deeply toasted, and the result is unashamedly dessert-like. Maple and caramelised sugar with heavy wood — polarising if you want restraint, excellent if you want sweetness.
- 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 Woodford Reserve Double Oaked if you want an overtly sweet, heavily oaked, dessert-leaning bourbon 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 lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Woodford Reserve Double Oaked); neat, rocks, highball (Basil Hayden’s).