Basil Hayden’s launches blend of rye and dark rum

Jim Beam added two rye variants to Basil Hayden’s whiskey range after the first release of Basil Hayden’s Rye. The port influenced Dark Rye and a blend of two rye whiskeys and two bourbon whiskeys, named Two by Two Rye. Now another Basil Hayden’s blend has hit the shelves fairly quietly.

Just like their Dark Rye, the new Basil Hayden’s Caribbean Reserve Rye is not cask finished, but simply blended with another spirit. In this case black strap rum (a dark, robust type of rum), in stead of port wine.

“Basil Hayden’s Caribbean Reserve Rye is a blend of 8-year Kentucky Rye Whiskey and 4-year Canadian Rye Whisky. This rye blend is finished with Black Strap Rum for a toasted oak flavor complemented with rye spice and molasses-rich sweetness.

To create Basil Hayden’s Caribbean Reserve Rye, the blending team took inspiration from the growing trend of cask-finished ryes, and was particularly drawn to the sweet and spicy contrast between rum and rye. They spent over a year aging rye in rum casks, but couldn’t get the flavor quite right. Finally they discovered that blending premium Black Strap Rum directly into the rye created the perfect molasses-sweet finish they were looking for.”

Basil Hayden’s Caribbean Reserve Rye is bottled at 40% abv (80 proof) and sold for around $40 in most states in the US.