Review: Basil Hayden Golden Rye (2026)

Basil Hayden is out with a new edition. Well, sort of. Their latest, Golden Rye, is replacing the whiskey formerly known as Malted Rye introduced in 2024. It’s part of a new portfolio strategy that narrows the core lineup to two whiskeys, this newest rye release and the original Basil Hayden Bourbon. A more experimental middle tier will include unique finishes, blends, and mashbills à la Basil Hayden Toast while the upper echelons will focus more narrowly on older, rarer expressions like the 10-year age-stated bourbon.

While the old name, Malted Rye, spoke to the whiskey’s production (distilled from a 100% malted rye mashbill), this new moniker hints more at the experience. Jim Beam described it in the accompanying press release as “bright, smooth, and approachable” and emphasized its versatility as an official companion to the classic bourbon. Even though Chris technically already reviewed this whiskey under its old name, let’s put it through its paces and see if it is indeed as sunny as Beam claims.

Basil Hayden Golden Rye (2026) Review

As Chris noted in his review of Malted Rye, this is not your classic, peppery rye. It remains exceedingly gentle on the nose, blending undertones of dried grass and green herbs with an easygoing, powdered sugar sweetness that is accented here and there with notes of black cherry and vanilla extract. It’s restrained and uncomplicated but still offers plenty to admire, especially for such a modest proof.

The palate is similarly relaxed and effortless in its initial delivery of toasty rye, cinnamon sugar, mint, and fresh sage. The black tea note Chris tasted in 2024 is still intact and a feature of the midpalate, building from lukewarm and a touch diluted to slightly bolder chai before dissolving into a more classic mélange of baking spice. The finish delivers the same hint of peanut brittle and nougatine before fading softly to Almond Joys and minted syrup. It remains surprisingly bourbon-y for a 100% rye whiskey but still differentiates itself from the flagship Basil Hayden. I personally prefer it to the bourbon for sipping or cocktailing. As for the golden adjective, I suppose there’s enough glow here to justify the new name.

80 proof.

A- / $37 [BUY IT NOW FROM FROOTBAT]

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