Basil Hayden's Dark Rye Whiskey
Basil Hayden's Dark Rye Whiskey is a 750mL whiskey bottled at 80 proof (40% ABV) by James B. Beam Distilling Co. in Clermont, Kentucky — a three-part blend of Kentucky straight rye whiskey, Canadian rye from Alberta Distillers in Calgary, and a touch of California port blended in directly for ripe-fruit sweetness and ruby colour. Launched in October 2017 as the first permanent addition to the Basil Hayden range, it is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor.
- ABV: 40% (80 proof)
- Size: 750mL
- Blend: Kentucky straight rye + Alberta Canadian rye + California port blended in
- Age: No age statement; mash bill undisclosed
- Colour: Deep, rich amber with ruby undertones
- Origin: Bottled in Clermont, Kentucky
Three Whiskeys' Worth of Geography in One Blend
Dark Rye builds in layers, in the brand's own framing: a Kentucky straight rye base carrying spice, oak, dried fruit and a molasses undertone; Canadian rye from the brand's Alberta distillery layered in for a more viscous mouthfeel and deeper dried fruit; and a touch of California port — blended in, not cask-finished — adding ripe fruit without muddying the wood notes. It was the first permanent extension of the Basil Hayden range, joining the Basil Hayden's Bourbon in 2017. The full range is on the Basil Hayden's vendor page.
Tasting Notes
Per the producer: a deep, rich amber colour with ruby undertones; an aroma of oak balanced against dark berries and molasses; a taste of caramel, dried fruit and oak with spice behind it and a rounded mouthfeel; and a finish of lingering dried fruit, a hint of sweetness, and rye spice.
How to Enjoy
The brand frames it for neat pours, the rocks, or a Boulevardier-style cocktail, where the port's ripe fruit meets bitters cleanly. More rye is in our rye whiskey collection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Basil Hayden's Dark Rye a straight rye whiskey?
Its base component is Kentucky straight rye, but the finished product is a blend — Kentucky straight rye, Alberta Canadian rye and a touch of California port — so it is not itself labelled a straight rye.
Is Dark Rye finished in port casks?
No. The California port is blended into the whiskey directly. Retailer copy that calls it port-finished is describing it incorrectly.
Is Basil Hayden's Dark Rye a limited edition?
No — it launched in October 2017 as the first permanent addition to the Basil Hayden range, and it remains a core bottling.
A darker, fruitier corner of the rye shelf — order Basil Hayden's Dark Rye online from Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.