Bourbon - Whiskey/Bourbon

Basil Hayden Toast

$12

Basil Hayden's Toast is Beam Suntory's fourth permanent edition in the Basil Hayden's brand line, following the standard Basil Hayden's Bourbon, 10 Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon, and Dark Rye Whiskey. Toast introduces a new bourbon mashbill for the brand that replaces the usual high rye mashbill of 27% rye with 27% brown rice. Toast also undergoes a secondary toasted barrel finish for an undisclosed amount of time. After aging, the bourbon is pulled and additional brown rice bourbon is blended in and proofed down to 80. To learn more, please check out the company's press release. Toast also marks a bottle design refresh for the entire Basil Hayden's brand, forgoing the bottle's paper overlay and enlarging the bottle's trademark "belt buckle."

NOSE
A slathering of baking and campfire related scents are immediately gripping. Light brown sugar, caramel toffee, buttered toast, a touch of cinnamon, and light smoke all pair excellently and form a coherent aroma. Light but never fleeting, the nose is enjoyable. What it may lack in depth, it makes up for with gentle warmth and overall pleasantness.

Palate
Fine notes of toffee, butterscotch, sweet bread, and a touch of almond create a likeable first sip. Like the nose, the flavors work well together, creating a flavor profile that is cohesive. It's an even-keeled flavor profile that doesn't try to challenge you, and instead is a relaxed sip with adequate flavor.

Finish
With a slight ramp-up of heat and spice, additional notes of mild cinnamon, hazelnut, and leather drive the sip home. It adds just enough contrast to the palate and leaves a savory taste on your tongue as the flavors slowly dissipate. The finish works well introducing spice and a touch of dryness, but fails to impress in any meaningful way.B