Last year the second review I posted on this site was of Basil Hayden Toast. So I find it fitting that nearly a year to the date, I am reviewing a new bottle from this same distillery. From the James B. Beam Distilling family, today’s review is of Basil Hayden’s Red Wine Cask Finish. This 80-proof, as typical with Basil Hayden products, is a finished Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey that boasts the typical fancy “bottle belt.” Like most Basil Hayden products, this is a beautiful bottle that stands out on the shelf.

From the James B. Beam Distillery CO. website: A blend of the classic Basil Hayden high-rye mash bill and bourbon partially aged in Californian red wine casks, this special release is ripe with cherries & dried fruit, while also delivering characteristic bourbon flavors of vanilla and charred oak. Perfectly balanced, Basil Hayden Red Wine Cask Finish is layered & complex, yet approachable & inviting.

Readily available throughout Northern Colorado, if Basil Hayden and wine are your things, this is a must-try. Overall, this bottle should not be hard to find but is a bit funky for my profile. I find that this drinks like a confused bottle trying to decide whether it is a whiskey or a wine. Not a terrible dram to enjoy, and perhaps worth trying at a bar first, but this is definitely targeted toward those wine drinkers trying to introduce themselves to whiskey for the first time. The overall profile does not blend well and the flavors from the wine cask fight the whiskey rather than complimenting it. With that said, let’s get our taste on!

• Nose: Sweet Vanilla, Caramel, Dark Fruits, Oak, and All Spice
• Palate: Very Thin with a Bit of Ethanol. Notes of Vanilla, Dry Oak, Dark Fruits (Cherry & Blackberry) and Of Course Red Wine (Pinot Noir or a Sweet Cabernet)
• Finish: Short, Sweet, “Smooth,” and a Dry Fruity Oakiness
• 2022 MSRP: $59
• Proof: 80 Proof
• My Rating: Mix It! (Great Introductory Whiskey for Red Wine Enthusiasts)

Please remember, drinking bourbon is a personal adventure, so do not be afraid to drink it neat, with ice, or add some water. It’s your bourbon, you bought it, and you should enjoy it how you want to enjoy it!

Cheers! Prost! Sláinte!

Bourbon Bossman