Whiskey Dreams – Basil Hayden’s

Basil Haden’s is one of my go to Whiskeys. It is perfect for pretty much every occasion, whether that’s to introduce a new whisky drinker into the fold or just have dram with dinner. It has the combination of being relatively cheap (in the bourbon world) and easy drinking. I’ve heard people claim that because its only 40% ABV that it is whiskey-lite or that it doesn’t pack the punch of other whiskeys. I honestly think those people are crazy.

If you haven’t tried Basil Haden’s, I highly suggest getting a bottle, it is an excellent bourbon. If you don’t believe me, look at my night last night.

Basil Hayden’s Disappearing

I did not mean to drink that much, and yes I did pay for it the next day, but we were playing board games and having a ball.

The Nose

The nose on this Basil Haden’s is perfect for the new Whiskey Lover. It’s balanced with vanilla and oak that also has a bit of citrus that gives it just a little zing. It’s not layered or complex, which makes it perfect for new sippers trying to learn the ropes.

The Palate

The first thing that hits is a touch of tannin that quickly turns to vanilla and spice on the mid tongue that dances with those citrus notes. The finish is a wonderful blend of all those notes. There is subtle sweetness, vanilla, spice, and has a nice finish.

The Score

In terms of ranking, this is a solid 75/100. Don’t let that score fool you, it is absolutely Sip Worthy. Of all the Bourbon’s I drink, this is one of those bottles I always have on hand and absolutely keep a few bottles in my Whiskey Safe to carry me through in the event of a natural disaster.

Color

Dark Amber

Proof

40.0% ABV

Pros

  • Smooth
  • A bargain when you can find it for between $30 and $40.
  • Wonderful cinnamon, pepper and other spices on the tongue.
  • Makes an amazing Manhattan.

Cons

  • Not always in stock.
  • It gives me a horrible hangover when I don’t realize I drank half the bottle at one go.

Whiskey Places – The Dead Rabbit

The Dead Rabbit is a famous cocktail bar located on 30 Water St in New York and I was lucky enough to go there with my coworkers. We booked a table upstairs which means a bit more space. Trust me when I say that is a good thing because this place gets busy. Then we started to drink.

The Dead Rabbit

I tried two of their signature drinks, of which there are many, but I have to be honest when I say I didn’t enjoy them as much as I did when I switched over to Redbreast 12. They were interesting, but they were honestly just a bit too sweet and a bit too funky for me.

Signature Drinks

I may be too old for The Dead Rabbit, or maybe just too much of a whiskey snob. After the first two mixed drinks I changed over to neat Irish Whiskey before ending the night with Red Breast 12, which you can never go wrong with.

I had fun and enjoyed the huge selection of Irish Whiskey. So why did The Dead Rabbit score a 75/100? The fact that the mixed drinks were a bit too funky for me cost them points, as well as the cost. I know this is in Manhattan but I’m a country boy and the prices seemed astronomical to me.

The other factor that cost The Dead Rabbit some points was how busy it got. It is a popular bar, and once our private table expired we went downstairs to the main bar area. It was just a press of people. It is hard to enjoy a drink when every movement jostles you up against someone else.

Please let me know if you’ve been there and what you thought of The Dead Rabbit in the comments.

Cost Scale

Up to $30 per person – Low Cost

$31 to $50 per person – Moderate Cost

$51 and above per person – High Cost

Jameson

Jameson is a big deal. in 2020 they sold 8+ million barrels of whiskey in 130 countries. How did they get there? With time and dedication to quality. The Jameson journey started in Dublin in 1780, and has grown ever since. Think about what goes into each sip of Jameson. When you lift that glass to your lips you are sipping more than 200 years of careful craftsmanship.

Jameson Irish Whiskey

That effort and craftsmanship really shines through in this blended whiskey. It is an amazingly drinkable blend that is completely Sip Worthy.

When I was a kid I liked Jack and Coke. It wasn’t until years later that I really got into whiskey and it was at one of my son’s college party that I tried Jameson for the first time. My son and his (then) girlfriend picked up a bottle of Jameson to make Green Tea shots. It was not long before I was getting yelled at. They were scared I wasn’t going to leave them enough to make mixed drinks with.

Personally, making a mixer with this seems like a sin. Even if the bottle does have a screw off cap. I am a whiskey snob at this point, and my neanderthal brain tells me that any whiskey that comes with a twist off cap can’t be good. When it comes to Jameson, it is completely wrong.

When it comes the collection, even this “base” Jameson is a credit to the brand. Jameson scored a very Sip Worthy 75/100 and also makes its way into my Whiskey Safe. That means that if a natural disaster or the Apocalypse happens, I will have a bottle or two to get me through the rough patch.

Color

Light straw and honey.

Proof

40.0% ABV

Pros

  • Amazingly affordable.
  • Easily found anywhere and everywhere you go.
  • Blended whiskey that hints at single malt greatness.

Cons

  • It has a screw off top!!! (Yes, I know I’m a whiskey snob.)
  • It’s so good it makes you question the quest of finding the next great whiskey. Is good enough good enough?