Basil Hayden's Caribbean Reserve Rye (Discontinued)

This is my second Basil Hayden’s rye whiskey specialty. That sounds oddly specific, but that’s the only way I can frame this review as the follow-up to the BH Dark Rye. Speaking of which, the Dark Rye featured one of my all-time favorite noses, but underwhelmed on the tongue. Let’s see how black strap rum plays in a blend of Kentucky and Canadian rye—hopefully it will be more consistent. Nose: The rum definitely shines through. Sugar cane, molasses, and maple. Blackberry jam, maybe with some blueberry/strawberry jam as well. Sawdust, rye spice, toasted almond, walnut, and cashew. Sun-dried tomato and dried apricot. Pistachio and vanilla. Baking spice and oak. Solid nose. Palate: The molasses, maple, and sugar cane take the forefront again. More of the rye spice, with some rye bread, black pepper, and vanilla. Caramel and apple. Dill and baking spice. Much more bitter than the nose let on. It clashes with the promise of black rum sweetness. Finish: More of the molasses, sugar cane, and maple. Apple and vanilla. Black pepper, clove, nutmeg, and pistachio. Rye spice and dill. Medium length. Solid nose, middling palate, respectable finish. Nothing particularly stands out the way the nose did with the Dark Rye, but this is more balanced at the very least. Much like with the wine in the Dark Rye, the rum component dominates this Caribbean Reserve Rye. Unfortunately, this doesn’t get the same score from me. The Dark Rye nose was so spectacular that I had to make exception. It’s score would’ve suffered were it not for that. Factor in that this ran me an extra $13, and this unremarkable rye whiskey specialty garners a score of 2.75/5.

I, like most I assume, grabbed this hoping that it would be a cheaper version of Angel's Envy Rye finished in Rum barrels. The category is limited, but steadily expanding. The proof I'd say is by far the largest let down. Almost no rye comes through. I don't know how wet the rum barrels are, but it's clear that unlike Angel's Envy Rye (which also isn't straight!), they add a lot more rum/rum flavoring. The maple syrup is too strong, and almost unbearable. Nose: straight brown sugar and vanilla, really nothing else Palate: Just maple syrup, but add some packs of splenda and you're there. Sickeningly sweet, just like Angel's envy rye, but with no body and spice to give depth or back it up. Finish: Really just brown sugar and a little vanilla. Angel's envy rye is definitely expensive, but if this is the alternative then the added price is worth it. Neither are a must -buy, but angel's envy rye is worth the extra money. I had to use this one up in Dark n' Stormy cocktails, but at 80 proof it didn't take long. More spice, and less sweet is needed with this one. Super disappointing finish, likely due to the proof and mash bill. Hard pass.

The nose starts with an unmistakable note of rum that is almost wine like, followed by sweet corn, creamy cereal grains that reminds you of buttered toast, then there are some faint hints of charred oak. It is very inviting to smell, though the impression is given that the rum influence might be a bit strong. The palate is thin and simplistic. Rum is immediately dominant, staying mostly to the front of the mouth while a touch of earthy rye spice hits the back. Very faint charred oak seems to envelop it, with the corn content adding to the sweetness. The finish short to medium with a lingering rum sweetness and slightly chew oakiness. The is painfully simplistic and sweet, with the rum influence definitely being too strong. Along with being 80 proof, it is also dumbed down too much to bring out the complexities that may possibly exist in the individual whiskies. A novel and very easy to drink whiskey, but falls flat when it comes to true enjoyment of a whiskey.

Strong maple and caramel on the nose, followed by a smooth leather scent. The first taste provides a solid, sugary caramel flavor followed by an intense maple flavor. The next level hits you with a solid pepper and leather front with a hint of beautiful smoke to follow. Typical spice and smoke of a rye, but with a smooth and sweet maple and sugary caramel to round out the bite you usually get with a rye. Very nice experience!!

Bought in the hope of finding a cheaper, more readily available version of Angel's Envy Rye. I would say it's almost there. There is a lot of maple syrup flavor on the nose and the taste but unlike in the AE, the rye spice peaks out more and it isn't nearly as sweet (but still very sweet). While it won't replace AE rye anytime soon for me, it is still a worthy challenger and this is a bottle I'm more likely to share.

Aroma: initially a lot of ethenol but as it opens it's maple syrup and pancakes jumping out of the glass! Flavor: very mapley and heavily influenced by the black strap molasses. Really sweet and not much complexity at all and a very quick finish. Overall: this is not for me, tastes artificial and too sweet. So many things I would rather have for any price point