Who
in their right mind would want peppermint flavors and rye,
lots of rye distilled in their straight bourbon whiskey? A
gentleman named Basil Hayden back in 1796 thought it would
be a good idea, so he started experimenting and eventually
created his signature recipe, which has been religiously carried
down through the ensuing centuries.
And
just how old is this bourbon? No one on the outside really
knows for sure anymore and them that do know ain't talkin'!
You see, it's becoming quite popular for distillers to remove
age statements from their spirits. No, this isn't some kind
of ploy by the distillers to stretch and increase their product
lines therefore earning more profit. Actually, it allows the
distillers to better blend their spirits to attempt to produce
the same high quality liquor they have always produced even
though certain lots of highly aged spirits are becoming rarer.
Hayden's Bourbon used to be 8 years old, and rumor now puts
it closer to 6 years old, but remember age is not an assurance
of quality, and friends inform me that they can't really tell
the difference between the two. All this talk of minty flavors
and tons of rye have my mouth watering, so let's get on with
the tasting.
Basil
Hayden's Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey comes
in a clear bottle with the label draped over the neck and
cinched in the middle with a copper strip bearing the initials
BH engraved in metal. Mighty darn interesting approach, which
I'm pretty certain will make it stand out on the shelf in
the liquor store. They may not actually put peppermint in
this bourbon, but you couldn't tell by the nose. I get a blast
of peppermint and rye in the nose followed quickly by oak
and sugar and some mighty fine smelling bourbon. The palate
presents in much the same way as I initially perceive the
peppermint and rye then the bourbon and oak along with a touch
of citrus and spice but not enough spice to make it unpleasant.
The finish is short and spicy leaving the taste of rye, bourbon,
oak, sugar and citrus. This is one complex and layered bourbon
and the rye actually works well in this particular recipe.
It's no wonder they haven't messed with old Basil's recipe;
it's a winner.
Basil
Hayden's Bourbon can found for around $44.00 to $53.00 and
weighs in at 80 proof or 40% ABV.
By George Brozowski
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