Basil Hayden's

Basil Hayden's is the most approachable entry in Jim Beam's Small Batch Collection, named after a master distiller from the 1700s who famously added rye to a traditional corn base. It is unique for its high-rye mash bill and its lower 80-proof bottling, which emphasizes spicy, herbal notes and honeyed sweetness over the typical bourbon 'burn.' Its distinctive packaging, featuring a metal belt and paper wrap, pays tribute to its 18th-century heritage.