Average

Jim Beam Devil’s Cut Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
45% ABV/90 Proof
$25
Widely Available

What the Distillery Say:
As bourbon ages, a portion of the liquid is lost from the barrel due to evaporation—that’s the “Angel’s Share.” After aging, when the bourbon is dumped out of the barrel, a certain amount of whiskey is left trapped within the wood of every barrel.
We call that the “devil’s cut.”

To create Jim Beam® Devil’s Cut™, an extraordinary new bourbon experience, we developed a proprietary process that actually pulls the rich whiskey trapped inside the barrels’ wood after they’re emptied. We hold this barrel-treated extract until it develops the proper balance of bourbon notes, then blend it with 6 year old bourbon and bottle at 90 proof. The result: a robust, premium bourbon with deep color, aroma and character.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Initially it’s very sharp, tannic, and alcoholic. Water opens it to be more citrus and botanical.
Palate: The cherry sweetness of Jim Beam is in the back lurking in the shadows but it’s well behind the smoke and oak. Water does nothing good for the palate. It brings forth a little fruitiness but kills the rest of the flavor.
Finish: It’s all smoke and wood on the finish. It’s a medium length finish and a little dry.
Comments: Fred Noe and the folks at Jim Beam don’t want to get too specific about the “proprietary process that actually pulls the rich whiskey trapped inside the barrels’ wood after they’re emptied” but it sounds a hell of a lot like sweating barrels which is something folks in Kentucky have been doing for years. Most likely the “Devil’s Cut” that’s being mixed with 6 year old Jim Beam is either some residual left after dumping or alcohol sweated out with water and heat. Either way it’s an interesting idea. It’s not nearly as harsh as 4 year old Jim Beam White Label and not as sweet as JB 7 Year. I like it. It’s not a stand out bourbon but it’s interesting. One odd side note; with this filling in the 6 year old spot Beam now has products at every year from 4 through 9. That seems a little extreme to me but they’re selling it so who am I to argue.
Rating: Average

Basil Hayden’s Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
40% ABV/80 Proof
$30 to $40
Widely Available

What the Distillery Says:
Basil Hayden’s is unequalled in that it utilizes twice as much rye in it as the other bourbons in the Collection. Enriched by a hint of peppermint, it impresses with notes of pepper balanced by slight citrus overtones, and a spicy, warming finish. Aged eight years at a relatively mild 80 proof, Basil Hayden’s has a broad appeal and is equally enjoyable alone or in cocktails such as a Juicy Basil and Basil Bubbly.

Age: 8 years
Proof: 80
Color: Golden amber
Aroma: Spice, tea, hint of peppermint
Taste: Spicy, peppery, honey, light-bodied, gentle bite
Finish: Dry, clean, brief

What Richard Says:
Nose: Herbal, floral, and that signature Old Grand Dad black tea note.
Palate: Vanilla, and that OGD rye spice note but in this it is lighter and cleaner.
Finish: Very dry. I’m talking really dry. Dry like like you want some water or a soda afterward.
Comments: Basil Hayden’s seems to be pretty popular with those new to bourbon. It’s light and easy to drink. This was my wife’s first “favorite bourbon” when I first got her into whiskey. I’m not saying it’s a woman’s bourbon anything like that. However, I do think that it’s not worth twice the money to get this over OGD Bottled In Bond. They put another year or two on the age and watered it down to 40% ABV. It’s still Old Grand Dad, just with a heftier price tag.
Rating: Average

Old Grand-Dad 114 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
57% ABV/114 Proof
$25
Widely Available

What the Distillery Says:
Old Grand-Dad was a distiller named Basil Hayden who made his name by distilling a bourbon whiskey made with a higher percentage of rye. Basil Hayden passed along the art of distilling to his son and then, in turn, to his grandson. It was the third generation distiller, Colonel R.B. Hayden, who honored his grandfather by naming his justly famed
whiskey “Old Grand-Dad.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Alcohol with a hint of wood. Water opens up the nose to black tea notes and reminds me of my grandmother’s sweet tea right before the sugar goes in.
Palate: More viscous than other OGD versions and it comes through all rye heat. Water opens up more corn notes and a little sweetness.
Finish: Surprisingly smooth on the finish even at bottle strength. Rye and oak dominate. The finish on this one doesn’t hold up very well to water. It just disintegrates.
Comments: You pay more for the 114 and you get more alcohol for your money. Beyond that I don’t find much in OGD 114 to make me want to pick it over the Bottled In Bond version.
Rating: Average