Whiskeytemple_Vladimir 
Оценка: 87-88/100
Basil Hayden`s 8 y.o. bourbon
I step in a series of single malt whiskey reviews, but for several months I have a sample of Basil Hayden`s bourbon. Actually, this is the last remaining bottle from those I had ordered from bar Masterpiece in the already distant summer. So I think its time has come. The good-quality whiskey, regardless of its origin, often brings me associations of Christmas, and as I’m watching the clock and calendar I see that we’re at the early moments of the 1st of December. What could be a better start of the best month of the year than meeting with a product of the so-called „small batch“ of Jim Beam?
The bourbon is bottled at 40% alcohol by volume, as is previously aged for 8 years. Almost optimum age for a drink originating from the US. The bourbon, now part of the Beam-Suntory products, bears the name of its creator – Basil Hayden Sr., who was a fervent Catholic, and besides that, he also distilled whiskey at the end of 18th century. Unlike most of its competitors, he used a larger amount of rye in his mash. When he died the business was continued by his grandson – Raymond B. Hayden, who built a new distillery and named it „Old Grand-Dad“ /there is a namesake bourbon on the market, owned by Jim Beam/. As I mentioned Catholicism, I remembered that from the read, I learned that the Hayden family originates from England, from where they emigrated in the 17th century because of the unrest against Catholics, and settled in West Virginia. During the War of Independence, they were supplying their new compatriots in the fight against the British. It is even claimed that a member of the family was a participant in the Third Crusade and was knighted by Richard the Lionheart.
The liquid seemed far more pleasant in the glass, than in the bottle. I poured it, covered it and waited. A pleasant and sweet aroma spread after a few minutes. Pretty grassy and mint, with a dose of ginger. I caught and cherries, peaches, vanilla and caramel fragrance, similar to this of the well-known sugar cockerels. Notes of coffee, rose blossom and Christmas cake. Taste – light and mellow whiskey. Spicy and dry, with a dose of sweetness. Finish – medium length. Sweetness, which gradually increases. Candy, woody, buttery cake and remembrance of milk chocolate. Assessment: 87-88/100.
