The Details
Tasting Notes
Introduction:
I specifically wanted to judge this one because I knew I wasn’t going to rate it well. I just have too many 6-8’s thus far and need some honest whiskey reviews on here. I originally picked it up because Elijah Craig has done so well with their toasted whiskey that it’s allocated and now hard to come by. I was to say, underwhelmed with the Basil Hayden Version. Read below for my thoughts.
Color:
Lightest of all the Tawnies. One of the lighter whiskey’s I own.
Nose:
It actually comes across pretty sweet at first. Well balanced, warm caramel and oak, but then upon a second, longer sniff, you can barely a little bit of black licorice, with a hint of solvent. A third sniff brought in a little bit of toasted hay.
Palate:
Like I mentioned, underwhelming is what I would describe it. Had some high hopes after the sniff, but it hits a little sharp, then proceeds to drop off pretty quickly. That alcohol taste hits first, then it quickly turns into a toasted hay that I smelled. Fairly dry with not much complexity of the typical vanilla, oaky, caramel bourbon that you would expect.
Conclusion:
It’s not bad by any means, I just wouldn’t spend more than $30 for it. It’d be hard to use in drinks as it’s such low proof as well. Maybe it’s the new brown rice mash that I’m not a big fan of. Either way, try it if you enjoy the hay-like toast.
Try this if you like:
Basil Hayden, any Jim Beam, 1792, Elijah Craig Toasted. Bookers, Bakers and Little Book for the high-end stuff.