An exotic blend of two aged Rye Whiskies and Caribbean blackstrap Rum.
Jim Beam Distillery — the integral part of mega-corp Beam Suntory — is one of the largest Bourbon producers in the world. Seven generations of the Beam Family have worked the stills there since 1795. The Jim Beam Distillery makes an unusually large number of offerings for it’s core Jim Beam line and several brands, including Red Stag, Jacob’s Ghost, and a selection of higher end “small batch” Bourbons — Baker’s, Basil Hayden’s, Knob Creek, and our Bourbon of the day, Booker’s.
There is a growing trend to blend Whiskies with other Spirits to achieve different flavor profiles. Basil Hayden’s Caribbean Reserve Rye takes that trend to a new level, and it works. This new release from Beam Suntory is a blend of eight year-old Kentucky Rye, four year-old Canadian Rye, and dash of Caribbean Rum made from blackstrap molasses. You end up with a Spirits that looks like a Rye and tastes like a Rye with a sweeter flavor profile and an exotic smokiness at 40% ABV. But is it “really” still a Rye Whiskey? Well, that really doesn’t matter at this point because you have an interesting twist that balances sweetness and spice in a fun, summery, and unique way. And we ALWAYS judge a Spirit by its palate.
What does Basil Hayden's Caribbean Reserve Rye taste like?
The Flavor Spiral™ shows the most common flavors that you'll taste in Basil Hayden's Caribbean Reserve Rye and gives you a chance to have a taste of it before actually tasting it.
We invented Flavor Spiral™ here at Flaviar to get all your senses involved in tasting drinks and, frankly, because we think that classic tasting notes are boring.
Nose / Aroma / Smell
The Spirits has a distinct aroma of brown sugar, smoked oak, and caramel.
Flavor / Taste / Palate
The flavor profile leans toward Rye Whiskey, but adds turbinado sugars, fresh cut wood, and an exotic fruit note that’s hard to pinpoint.
This is an exceptional drink. The finish is smooth, and the combination of rye and rum is to die for. This has been discontinued and I have had trouble finding it in my area. I am gathering the bottles I can find before it is too late!
Mischelle,
Excellent choice and great service
Katie,
Ah-MAZING. One of the best I’ve ever had. The finish is incredibly smooth, and I love the different notes, complex yet very simple. Bought 2 bottles, and just bought 2 more! Can’t find it in my area, and I’m afraid they’ll discontinue (limited release), so I’m stockpiling!!
guest,
Amazingly smooth
Micheal,
A whiskey Blended with Rum and at first I thought I wasn't going to like it.
Honestly as a sipper I wasn't very impressed but in a cocktail it's amazing. Best rum n coke I've ever had. I make caribbean Old Fashions using orange bitters, demerara syrup and garnish with the orange peel, it's next level.
If you're looking for a sipper, I'd pass, but if you're into cocktails this needs to be on your shelf.
Can't find it around my parts anymore. :(
guest,
Sweet from start to finish.Maple and sweet fruit with whirls of vanilla
Tanner,
Solid finished whiskey, but maybe proofed down too much for ice
Stephen,
I like this very much.....very smooth with no harshness at all. Can be used in your favorite cocktail or neat or on ice. Very functional and flavorful.
Jerry,
good variant, sweeter than the regular or Rye styles. no need for cube smooth and drinkable, yet great as a mixer
Alexander,
Smooth with long maple syrup finish. Love it.
Bryce,
I wasn't a fan of this one. I am a huge fan of the other Basils but this one was too heavy with the blackstrap molasses flavor and its all i could taste. If thats your thing then i recommend it.
Randy,
My favorite Rye. I prefer it neat, and do not mix this one.
Lee,
First nose on a fresh pallet all that I smell is the rum, it almost dominates the nose. When drinking you get the spice of the rye and the sweetness of the rum. It is a decent combination if you like both Rum and Whiskey.
Daniel,
Greatest after dinner spirit there is
Jason,
Very different than other ryes. Has a heavy molasses flavor on the back that makes this almost a dessert whiskey. Very tasty but not what you expect from a rye.
Scott,
Deliciously smooth on the rocks
Chris,
too much molasses flavor dominating the whiskey. It made it very sweet.
Nathan,
Unique whiskey. At different points in the taste you can pick out the bourbon, rye, and rum flavors of each whiskey in the blend. Really smooth. Good both neat and with a couple ice cubes.
Chad,
My wife and I really enjoy this one, so smooth. I like it neat, she likes one ice cube
guest,
I absolutely love this. You definitely get ( on the palate) the rye, the herbs, there is vanilla and brown sugar, molasses (I assume from the rum) a hint of spice, maybe nutmeg. It is just overall my new favorite (hate the price though) mostly in part due to the fact that I am also a huge fan of rum. It is not strong, pretty mellow IMO, and it does not have a huge kick to it. This is just the perfect blend. I love BH.
Alex,
Love the mix of flavors and how the rum sweetens and softens the bite of the rye.
Mary,
enjoyed the rich vanilla and carmel notes. That Caribbean spice from the rum is nice touch.
Rusty,
very sweet, taste of maple syrup and molasses.
A great dessert sipper!
LYDELL,
Can appreciate some of the rum in the flavor smoky and sweet in taste.
Steve,
This was recommended by friends and they were right. This is a good sipping whisky witch has a great taste and wonderful linger.
jill,
Delicious. A great rye that is taken to next level from rum finish. Just incredible from nose to finish. Could drink all day, any day.
Davis,
If you like rum and whiskey, this is the drink. A very sweet and vanilla taste with some caramel notes.
Jacob,
Very strong maple syrup smell from the glass, a friend said it smelled like aunt jemimas. This is one of the smoothest ryes I’ve had, it has a sweet rum taste at first and finishes with a slight rye burn.
David,
The rum finish is delightful. Very "pirate" type. It's what Grog should taste like.
JOHN,
Excellent flavors, extremely smooth
Joe,
Disappointingly rough for the price.
Anne,
Great
Tom,
Dessert drink? Way over done on the rum flavor
Stephen,
Outstanding flavor. So smooth.
Mitch,
I've never had a good whisky from Basil Hayden. This isn't as disgusting as the port finish blend they offer but this one is pretty bad! Tastes syrupy and gross - more like a liqueur than a whisky.
Michael,
Smooth, but the flavor of molasses is almost overwhelming. Not a bad whiskey over all
Dennis,
Excellent flavor. I am more of a rum guy, but this Rye was more approachable than most.