Description
Basil Hayden Cognac Cask Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Kentucky Straight Bourbon | 80 Proof (40% ABV) | High-Rye Mash Bill | Finished in French Cognac Casks | Limited Edition
Basil Hayden Cognac Cask Reserve is a limited-edition release that gives the brand’s famously light, approachable high-rye bourbon a French accent. After its standard aging in Kentucky, the whiskey is finished in French oak casks that previously held cognac for 20 to 25 years. The result keeps everything Basil Hayden fans love about the original while adding a layer of dried fruit, caramel and elegant oak.
How It’s Made
Made at the James B. Beam Distilling Co. under eighth-generation master distiller Freddie Noe, Cognac Cask Reserve starts with the same rye-forward recipe Booker Noe introduced in 1992 as part of the Small Batch Collection. The extra rye brings gentle spice and structure, which balances the sweeter, fruit-driven character the long-seasoned cognac barrels add during finishing. It is bottled at Basil Hayden’s signature 80 proof, so the cask influence comes through clearly without the heat of a high-proof pour.
Tasting Notes
- Nose: Caramel and vanilla with dried apricot, soft pear and a hint of toasted oak.
- Palate: Warm caramel sweetness, rich dried fruit, vanilla bean and light rye spice, with a brandy-like roundness from the cognac casks.
- Finish: Smooth and balanced, with lingering oak, baking spice and a gentle, fruity warmth.
How to Enjoy It
Sip it neat to appreciate the interplay of bourbon and cognac, or pour it over a large cube to bring the fruit forward. It also shines in sparkling cocktails such as the Basil Hayden 75 or a Sparkling Bourbon Sidecar, and makes a refined Old Fashioned with an orange twist.
Why Bourbon Fans Want This Bottle
Cognac Cask Reserve is the first Basil Hayden expression built around flavors from beyond Kentucky, and it is produced in limited quantities. It is an easy entry point to cask-finished bourbon for newer drinkers, a worthwhile addition for Basil Hayden collectors, and a thoughtful gift for anyone who enjoys both bourbon and cognac.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Basil Hayden Cognac Cask Reserve?
It is a limited-edition Kentucky straight bourbon made from Basil Hayden’s high-rye recipe and finished in French oak casks that held cognac for 20 to 25 years.
What proof is Basil Hayden Cognac Cask Reserve?
It is bottled at 80 proof, or 40% alcohol by volume, the same as the classic Basil Hayden bourbon.
What does it taste like?
Expect caramel, vanilla and dried fruit up front, light rye spice in the middle and a smooth oak finish.
How is it different from regular Basil Hayden?
The base bourbon is the same, but the cognac cask finish adds extra fruit, richness and oak complexity.
Can I buy Basil Hayden Cognac Cask Reserve online?
Yes. Order Basil Hayden Cognac Cask Reserve online from and have this limited-edition bourbon shipped to your door, where permitted by law. You must be 21 or older to purchase.
