Distillery: James B. Beam Distilling Company
Region: Frankfurt, Kentucky
Aging: It was originally aged 8 years, but in 2014, the age statement changed to “Artfully aged” which means that there is no guarantee on how long it has been aged.
ABV: 40%
Proof: 80
Price: $60
Appearance: Cherry Amber
Nose: Dark Fruits, cherries, sweet notes, vanilla, oak, and a wee bit of spice
Palate: Light on the palate, but quite enjoyable. I get a bit more spice than expected, but it’s balanced well with the dark fruits and wine cask finish. I almost get a hint of dirt or earthy tones similar to what I would find in a bottle of wine. That is a nice touch to the flavor that you don’t get in many whiskeys.
Finish: A light to medium finish that leaves you feeling a slight bit of heat mixed with dark fruits and spices. I rather enjoy this one’s finish.
Is Basil Hayden Red Wine Cask Finish Approachable?
Basil Hayden Red Wine Cask Finish is pretty easy to drink like most Basil Hayden’s. It doesn’t have much heat on it, but I don’t think the flavors in this one are for inexperienced whiskey drinkers. I would buy this bottle if you have a wine drinker in the house that will appreciate the nuances added for this edition.
Is Basil Hayden Red Wine Cask Finish Complex?
It’s not particularly complex, but the flavors it does have are unique. You can definitely tell that the wine cask finish introduced some new flavors to the whiskey, but it’s still a relatively one-dimensional pour. I will give it credit though, that one dimension is done pretty well.
What are Basil Hayden Red Wine Cask Finish’s strongest attributes/flavors?
The strongest attribute of the Basil Hayden Red Wine Cask Finish is that it actually does capture some of the flavors that I enjoy from red wines blended into the flavors that I enjoy in whiskey. The earthy notes from the wine add a little bit of complexity that is unique to find in a whiskey.
Is Basil Hayden Red Wine Cask Finish a go-to whiskey?
This bottle of Basil Hayden would not be a go-to whiskey at all for me. This strikes me as a bottle that I would pour on a special occasion like pairing it with a nice steak dinner. The guests who enjoy wine can have a nice cabernet sauvignon and the whiskey drinkers can have a nice pour of the Basil Hayden Red Wine Cask Finish.
Is Basil Hayden Red Wine Cask Finish priced accurately to its quality?
Aside from the Basil Hayden 10-year, this edition is the most expensive from the Basil Hayden lineup coming in at $60. While it is one of my favorite Basil Hayden bottles, I would only buy this one if you are a big fan of both wine and whiskey. Most whiskey drinkers would not notice the subtlety of flavors in this one and would be better off spending the money on a bottle of Bib and Tucker Bourbon or going with a cheaper option.
I hope you enjoyed this tasting experience with me.
Feel free to enjoy our Complete Basil Hayden Line Up Comprehensive Review where we review every bottle from Basil Hayden and break down which bottles we enjoy most.
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