Basil Hayden 10 Year Bourbon

I recently reviewed the standard Basil Hayden's, which was very disappointing. I've read that this and the standard BH are very close in age, so I'm not expecting a huge difference based on that. I'll go into this with an open mind. Nose: Fresh-baked apple pie, black cherry, black licorice, caramel, black tea, wintergreen, and spearmint. Pumpkin spice and pine. Clove, nutmeg, and heaps of oak. Very rich and unique nose. Awesome. Palate: Caramel, gala apple, peanut brittle, black cherry, walnut, and almond. Apricot. Cocoa. Cinnamon, black pepper, nutmeg, clove, and oak. Thin-bodied. It's a big step down from the nose. It's good in its own right, but drinks like a watered down version of the other JB Small Batch series products--which is exactly what this is. Finish: Apricot, cocoa, clove, nutmeg, black pepper, cinnamon, and oak. Short-to-medium length. Bumped up a full star from the standard BH. The nose is the best part of this whiskey; it's truly one of the most intriguing noses I've found in a bourbon. The rest is good but not great. I gave this a 3.5 because of the nose; otherwise this would've been around a half-star lower. I believe this is an annual release from Jim Beam. If you're a big fan of the distillery and can find this for a good price, I say give it a go. Don't go out of your way to grab this otherwise. It's a respectable whiskey, and a welcome surprise after reviewing the marginal Basil Hayden's standard release, but not one worth hunting.

NOSE Oak, cocoa, toffee, baking spice, vanilla powder, dried fruit, hazelnuts and a touch citrus and s’mores. This Basil Hayden’s 10 Years is a significant improvement over the standard with a warmer, deeper aroma that’s just lovely. PALATE Oak, toffee, leather, roasted nuts, cocoa, vanilla powder, dried dark fruit, graham cracker, baking spice and bits of orange peel and yeastiness. Again, very nice. It has a warmth and a depth to it that makes it wonderful to just sit and sip. FINISH Medium -> Oak, dried fruit, yeast, nuts and a bit of baking spice drift out a bit biscuity

Easy on the nose, hints of vanilla and oak. Goes down easy and smooth with a sweet finish. Definitely get that vanilla a little more on the palate. Just wish it had that bite to it, at 40 proof, just a touch more (maybe 45 proof) would have sent this way up. But an easy sipper, no water or ice needed. I enjoy the Basil Hayden bourbons and this was by far the best.

A very mellow pour. I added 3 drops of water to see if it opened any flavors from the neat pour. I wouldn’t say that it did but certainly mellowed it even more. Not finding a distinct flavor. Not that it is a bad thing, it may just be me. Overall a very pleasant and enjoyable bourbon to savor while reading a good book.

I found the 10yr to be a tad complex in that it’s light and yet full-flavored. I enjoyed on the rocks which seemed to opens up so many flavors achieved through aging over the regular BH. Great flavours typically found: caramel, spice, and oak finish. Soft, delicate and sophisticated. A delight.

Amazing. Almost makes me forget the unrelenting hellscape that is my post-Christmas living room. Perfect gift from the husband. Caramel and leather notes with a touch of sweetness. Perfect on its own and excellent in an old fashioned with honey simple syrop.