Basil Haydens Bourbon 375ml
A good amount of caramel, candy corn, and fresh cut squash present themselves with considerable ease. This is surprising given the brand’s 80 proof point, whose releases typically struggle to omit ample vigor. If that wasn’t enough, an indistinguishable blend of red fruits, along with vanilla and oak, can also be noticed. Try hard enough and even faint hints of peach, golden raisin, and green tea can also be picked out. Though the scents come together well and are more potent than expected, they still struggle with lasting power. It’s a serviceable aroma that’s hard to find any major fault with, but it also brings more than expected based on the proof and past releases.
The palate presents itself in a very traditional manner. Straightforward and to the point, it offers standard bourbon notes of vanilla and sweet oak up front. From there, the bourbon opens up slightly, with golden raisin, honey, and a dash of peach that helps diversify the sip to a degree. It lacks much mouthfeel due to the bourbon’s 80 proof and feels thin to chew on. Despite these misgivings, the flavors work well together.
The end of the sip turns noticeably more spicy with a dry oak and coppery undertone. There are some semi-sweet summer fruits and chocolate wafer notes that help balance its spicy side. The finish is much more simple than the rest of the sip and is quite underwhelming. Though its fruit flavors withdraw much too quickly, you're left with a lingering oak bitterness and a touch of spice. A lot of these misgivings are likely due to its proof, but overall this is a lackluster finish that adds little to the sip besides some welcomed spice.
