Basil Hayden Dark Rye (40%)

When the folk at Jim Beam decided to expand the Basil Hayden’s range beyond the mild-mannered original – see separate entry for Basil Hayden Bourbon – while at the same time ditching the ‘s’ and its apostrophe, one can imagine that the big question was whether to maintain the more subtle character of the original across the entire line or branch out into bolder statements.

In the end, its seems they elected to do a bit of both.

The sharp-eyed among whiskey buyers will not the absence of the word ‘bourbon’ on the Dark Rye label, because while Basil Hayden is certainly a Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey, as it clearly states on the label, Dark Rye is a blend of Kentucky straight rye whiskey with Canadian rye whisky and port wine, also stated upon its label, albeit in much smaller lettering.

This interesting blend maintains the gentle nature of Basil Hayden – thus, I suppose, meriting its inclusion in the brand line – but at the same time offers much broader strokes of flavour than does the original. Appropriately dark gold in colour, almost amber, really, it has notes of slightly oxidized caramel and soft brown spice on the nose, with hints of vanilla extract and a touch of red berry-like fruit. On the palate, there is something a bit maple-y going on, the entry being slightly reminiscent of medium-dark maple syrup, with baked apple notes, a touch of cinnamon, some vanilla notes, and a fairly swift, lightly spicy, and rather unmemorable finish.

Curiously, this seems almost more like a Canadian rye than it does an American one, and at this price point I think Canadians can do a whole lot better.

77 ($63 - $67)