Credit: James B. Beam Distilling Co.
Basil Hayden Bourbon was introduced in 1992 by James B. Beam Distilling Co. as part of Booker Noe’s Small Batch collection.
The brand takes its name from Basil Hayden Sr., a distiller in Maryland in the late 18th century. He was known for his use of rye in his whiskey recipes, which was unusual at the time. The brand pays homage to his legacy and his innovative approach to whiskey-making.
It is bottled at a relatively-low 80 proof, making it more approachable for those who prefer a milder whiskey. It also uses a high-rye mashbill that it shares with Old Grand-Dad, another brand that serves as a tribute to Hayden.
Until 2014, the packaging had an 8-year age statement. That year, it was replaced with a line that simply said “Artfully Aged.”
In 2021, Beam refreshed the brand, removing the paper “bib” packaging that the brand had been known for, and renaming the whiskey from “Basil Hayden’s” to “Basil Hayden.”1Press Release
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Packaging used until 2021, featuring the paper "bib" and copper band.
Credit: James B. Beam Distilling Co.
