While the regular Basil Hayden has a big following, and was one of the early premium Bourbon entries, it seems a lot of people, including us, have always considered it to be the tail end of that group that consists of Booker’s, Baker’s, Knob Creek, Woodford, and others. It was usually the lowest priced and was the only one that was just 80-proof. Now we have Basil Hayden Toast, which is not just Basil with a little more time in a toasted barrel. No, it is a completely different mash bill, from their web site “consists of an entirely new mash bill, replacing the traditional rye grain with brown rice, which adds a hint of sweetness and a touch less spice”. We are pretty sure we have not had a Bourbon with rice as a big part, if any, of the mash bill. Also, from the website, “It’s more subtle, more interesting, and ultimately way more approachable, which is exactly what Basil is all about.”
Toast can be found just about anywhere Bourbon is sold, sells for around $45, and comes in the same shaped corked bottle as the regular Basil, minus the brown paper. There is no age statement on the bottle or on the website, and they have decided to keep Toast at 80 proof, which is probably why they state that it is “way more approachable” on their website. The mash bill consists of 63% corn, 27% brown rice, and 10% malted barley.
To be upfront, we are not huge fans of the original Basil Hayden, even though, at one time, a lot of people liked it when it was first introduced. It was, and is, a light drink that you can offer to your non-Bourbon drinking friends (like we have any). But as our taste buds expanded, we found that it just didn’t have the depth and complexity that we look for in a premium Bourbon. We also really disliked their Dark Rye. Maybe the new mash bill and the extra aging in the toasted barrels will help us get on the Basil train.
NOSE
Todd: Smooth neat with vanilla, toffee, and cereal grain standing out. I also pick out a nutty woodiness with just a touch of orange. Ice adds a little leather and toffee.
Frank: A sweet roasted marshmallow scent with some walnut. Lighter scents include corn, vanilla, and caramel. Ice makes it sweeter.
Matt: Sweet and nutty with a touch of fruit, cherry I believe. Secondary aromas are bread, oak, butterscotch, and leather. Ice severely lightens the nose leaving only a slightly fruity scent.
TASTE
Todd: Not getting as much on the tongue as the nose. An overall sweetness with some wood, grain, and vanilla. A little nuttiness as well. Not very complex. Ice brings out a bit of spice.
Frank: Not getting much, an oat-like grain taste with a little wood and some white cake. Ice, if anything makes it worse.
Matt: Flavor is lighter and less complex than the nose with a sweet wet wood taste. Also, getting a touch of leather and a taste that reminds me of caramel ice cream. Ice brings out a toasted flavor and some grain.
FINISH
Todd: Short to Medium, bitter with a bit of baking spice.
Frank: Medium with a touch of bitterness.
Matt: Short to medium with some slight spice.
OVERALL
Todd: Not really a fan. Don’t like that it is only 80 proof and that it has no age statement.
Frank: Yeah, I agree, not for me.
Matt: Nose better than the taste. Decent stuff and I would drink again but wouldn’t stress about keeping it stocked.
Nose 3.75 out of 5
Taste 6.75 out of 10
Finish 3.5 out of 5
Total score 14 out of 20 barrels.
It looks like we are still not on the Basil Hayden train. Low complexity and low proof do not make for a good Bourbon. We guess you could use Toast as a mixer but there are plenty of other Bourbons at lower prices for that. The only thing on the positive side is that it is “approachable,” so a newbie to the whiskey world might appreciate the light body and smoothness. Think along the lines of Crown Royal, light and smooth but not a lot of flavors.
Bottom line? While not for us, if you like the original, you probably will like Basil Hayden Toast.