Basil Hayden’s New Subtle Smoke Takes Its Own Smoky Bourbon Approach

The Basil Hayden premium bourbon brand from Beam-Suntory has debuted a new bourbon said to be “an entirely new take on smoky spirits” that will be friendly to both whiskey connoisseurs and those new to the category alike.

Basil Hayden Subtle Smoke, according to those behind it, is crafted by the initial toasting and lightly charring of a secondary barrel. Afterwards, hickory-smoked chips are ignited at a constant feed to produce smoke, which is then pumped into the barrel, resulting in what’s described as soft, charred notes. Bourbon then goes through a secondary aging process in these special barrels for six months.

“We continue to honor my grandfather Booker Noe’s legacy of pushing the boundaries of what bourbon can be with the debut of Basil Hayden Subtle Smoke,” said eighth generation Beam family distiller, Freddie Noe, in a prepared statement. “A showcase of the many ways in which our bourbon can be layered, refined and complex, yet approachable and inviting, Basil Hayden Subtle Smoke is reimagining how smoky spirits can taste.”

“Basil Hayden Subtle Smoke is proof that bourbon can be complex and smoky, but doesn’t need to be harsh,” added Jonathan Marks, Senior Brand Director for Global Small Batch Bourbon at Beam Suntory. “We look forward to bringing new members into the Basil Hayden family with this bourbon that provides a subtle invitation to smoky spirits in a way that only Basil Hayden can.”

Basil Hayden Subtle Smoke, bottled at 80 proof, is available now, for a limited time, at premium spirits retailers across the United States and with a suggested retail price of $49.99/750mL. Official tasting notes for it are below.

On the nose, aromas of mellow smoke character with a hint of vanilla preface flavors of soft char with light sweetness reminiscent of butterscotch and maple on the palette. Concluding with a crisp, yet delicate finish of smokiness with light toasted hickory wood, the new expression offers a subtle, welcoming introduction to a smoky spirit while paying homage to the bourbon’s signature high-rye style.