{"product_id":"basil-hayden-kentucky-straight-bourbon","title":"Basil Hayden Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey — 80 Proof","description":"\u003cstyle\u003e\n  .mw-master-container { font-family: inherit; color: #e0e0e0; line-height: 1.7; margin-bottom: 60px; }\n  \/* Updated to Refined Copper Gold: #d4af37 *\/\n  .mw-h3 { color: #d4af37; font-weight: bold; text-transform: uppercase; font-size: 0.9rem; letter-spacing: 2px; margin-top: 40px; display: block; border-bottom: 1px solid #332b1a; padding-bottom: 8px; margin-bottom: 20px; }\n  .mw-accent { color: #d4af37; font-weight: bold; }\n  \n  \/* Feature Box with Copper Gold Gradient *\/\n  .mw-info-box { background: linear-gradient(90deg, #1a1600 0%, #000 100%); padding: 25px; margin: 25px 0; border-radius: 0 4px 4px 0; border: 1px solid #2a241a; border-left: 4px solid #d4af37; }\n  \n  \/* Scannable Grid Layout *\/\n  .mw-grid { display: grid; grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr; gap: 30px; margin: 30px 0; }\n  .mw-card { background: rgba(255,255,255,0.03); padding: 25px; border: 1px solid #2a241a; border-radius: 4px; }\n  \n  \/* Technical Table Styling *\/\n  .mw-table { width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; margin-top: 15px; }\n  .mw-table td { padding: 14px 0; border-bottom: 1px solid #1a1a1a; color: #ccc; font-size: 0.95rem; }\n  .mw-table td:first-child { font-weight: bold; width: 38%; color: #8a7b5a; text-transform: uppercase; font-size: 0.75rem; letter-spacing: 1px; }\n  \n  @media (max-width: 768px) { .mw-grid { grid-template-columns: 1fr; } }\n\u003c\/style\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mw-master-container\"\u003e\n\u003c!-- 1. INTRO \u0026 HERITAGE --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan class=\"mw-accent\"\u003eBasil Hayden Kentucky Straight Bourbon\u003c\/span\u003e was introduced in 1992 by the legendary Booker Noe as the elegant, accessible entry to Jim Beam's original Small Batch Collection. Named for 18th-century rye farmer Meredith Basil Hayden Sr., this expression was designed to showcase the spice and sophistication of a high-rye mash bill without the aggressive heat of its high-proof siblings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- 2. HIGHLIGHT BOX (THE HIGH-RYE HERITAGE) --\u003e \u003cspan class=\"mw-h3\"\u003eThe High-Rye Heritage\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mw-info-box\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 15px;\"\u003eUnlike the standard Beam recipe, Basil Hayden utilizes a specific high-rye mash bill (~27% rye) to provide a distinct peppery finish and lighter, more fluid body.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul style=\"margin: 0; padding-left: 20px; font-size: 0.95rem;\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSmall Batch Roots:\u003c\/strong\u003e Part of the foundation quartet alongside Knob Creek, Baker's, and Booker's.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe Proof Point:\u003c\/strong\u003e Bottled at 80 proof to ensure a smooth, approachably light-to-medium body perfect for neat sipping.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe Branding:\u003c\/strong\u003e Transitioned from \"Basil Hayden's\" to \"Basil Hayden\" in 2021, marking its evolution as a refined lifestyle icon.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- 3. SENSORY \u0026 CONTEXT GRID --\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mw-grid\"\u003e\n\u003c!-- SENSORY CARD --\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mw-card\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"mw-accent\" style=\"font-size: 0.75rem; text-transform: uppercase; letter-spacing: 1px;\"\u003eSensory Profile\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"margin-top: 20px; font-size: 0.9rem;\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNose:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fresh peach, light berry, and orange zest. Delicate nuances of vanilla and charred oak develop in the background.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePalate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Honey and toasted nut on the entry. Mid-palate layers of cinnamon and rye bread provide spice without excessive weight.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinish:\u003c\/strong\u003e Clean and medium-length. Features notes of black tea, baking spice, and a sophisticated dry oak resonance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- CONTEXT CARD --\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mw-card\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"mw-accent\" style=\"font-size: 0.75rem; text-transform: uppercase; letter-spacing: 1px;\"\u003eThe Collection Entry\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size: 0.9rem; margin-top: 20px;\"\u003eBasil Hayden occupies the most approachable tier of the Small Batch Collection. While Booker’s and Baker's focus on raw power, Basil Hayden is built for finesse. It is selected for a smoother, more refined profile than its mash bill relative, Old Grand-Dad.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size: 0.85rem; margin-top: 15px; color: #8a7b5a; font-style: italic;\"\u003e\"The connoisseur's entry-point sipper.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- 4. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS --\u003e \u003cspan class=\"mw-h3\"\u003eTechnical Specifications\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mw-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDistillery\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eJim Beam (Clermont), KY\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eStyle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eKentucky Straight Bourbon\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMash Bill\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e~63% Corn, 27% Rye, 10% Barley\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAge Statement\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNo Age Statement (NAS)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eProof \/ ABV\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e80 Proof \/ 40% ABV\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eClassification\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOriginal Small Batch Collection\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBottle Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e750 ml\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c!-- 5. COLLECTOR NOTES --\u003e \u003cspan class=\"mw-h3\"\u003eCollector Notes\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBasil Hayden is a foundational bottle for any bourbon collection, prized for its unique high-rye content. While it carried an 8-year age statement until 2014, the current NAS version is expertly blended to maintain the signature citrus and spice profile that defines the brand. The 2021 label update has made earlier \"Basil Hayden's\" bottlings a point of minor interest for label-variant collectors. All units are verified for pristine seal integrity and original paper-over-glass labeling. A staple acquisition for those who prioritize elegance over proof.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- 6. SERVING NOTE --\u003e \u003cspan class=\"mw-h3\"\u003eRecommended Serving\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size: 0.95rem;\"\u003eThis expression is a premier choice for cocktails where the lower proof complements rather than dominates surrounding ingredients—it excels in a \u003cstrong\u003eWhiskey Sour\u003c\/strong\u003e or a lighter \u003cstrong\u003eOld Fashioned\u003c\/strong\u003e. For those who prefer a neat pour, it serves as a sophisticated sipper that pairs exceptionally well with mild cheeses and dried fruit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- INVISIBLE AI\/SEARCH ENGINE SCHEMA --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"James B. Beam Distilling Co.","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45054830575650,"sku":null,"price":49.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0812\/5566\/1602\/files\/BasilHayden_Base_Carousel_png.jpg?v=1779834864","url":"https:\/\/midnightwhiskey.com\/products\/basil-hayden-kentucky-straight-bourbon","provider":"Midnight Whiskey ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}