Whisky: Basil Hayden Toast
Producer: Beam Suntory
Distillery: Beam Suntory
Region: Kentucky, USA.
Whisky Type: Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Age: NAS (4+ years)
ABV: 40%
Aged in Cask: New charred American oak and toasted oak
Price Range: $$

Basil Hayden Toast is an expression launched in 2021 from Beam Suntory. It is the 4th expression in the line up, following Basil Hayden’s Bourbon, Basil Hayden Dark Rye, and the 10-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon. (Check here for the whole Basil Hayden expressions).

This expression is interesting because it replaces the high rye component in the mash bill with brown rice contributing to the sweet flavor of the whiskey. The mash bill is 63% Corn, 27% Brown Rice, and 10% Malted Barley.

From a barrel perspective, the first maturation is in new charred American oak. However, the finish in toasted oak should accentuate the flavors typically associated with the family of Lactones, like coconut and fresh oak. It is not clear from the website the level of toast (i.e., light, light+, medium, medium+, heavy) applied to the second barrel, which brings a very intriguing aspect in terms of balance. Will the sweet and coconut flavors from the rice and toast barrel offset the smoky flavors from the char of the first maturation?

Contrary to popular belief, the lighter the toast the higher the extraction of coconut and fresh wood flavors. Also, a heavy toast or char will diminish these flavors and extract organic compounds (4-methyl guaiacol and guaiacol) that contribute to a smoky and charred character.

Will this bourbon be watered down-bourbon like Maker’s Mark standard bottling, or will it lean toward a style like that of a Corsair bourbon expression? or perhaps something right in the middle? There is only one way to find out.

Tasting notes for Basil Hayden Toast

Nose: Lovely aromas of vanilla, caramel, and touch oak.

Palate: A sweet arrival of caramel, vanilla, coconut and a touch of oak. All flavors transition perfectly from the nose to the palate. Unlike many standard bourbons, there is no overwhelming spicyness and bitterness from the charred barrel or alcohol level. Lovely, sweet profile stuff!

Finish: Short. The oak shows up here in the finish but restrained and keeping its distance from the caramel and vanilla notes.

Conclusion: Basil Hayden Toast Kentucky Straight Bourbon is very easy to drink because of its light body and sweet dominant flavor profile, and while it is not as balanced as I expected, I enjoyed it.

I would like to see how bringing the level of alcohol up to around 46% ABV or a longer age would change the flavor profile. Nonetheless, not a complex bourbon, but worth a try if you like bourbons with a marshmallow forward taste. Cheers!

Score: 3.5/5 ⭐

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