Basil Hayden's 8 Year (First Release)

This is a rare first release of Jim Beams' small batch Basil Hayden's. It's color is clear with a medium golden-amber hue. On the nose, it has a medium intensity with aromas of caramel, vanilla, mulling spices, butterscotch and a hint of oak. On the palate, it is smooth, leading with a spiciness (those mulling spices but almost fermented) that mellows into caramel and vanilla. Long finish. Basil Hayden’s lacks the fire that some bourbons have but that isn’t to say that it lacks kick or complexity, rather, that the alcohol has been nicely integrated.