Basil Hayden is taking its fans on a Caribbean journey with a new rye whiskey expression, Caribbean Reserve Rye.
The new expression blends two rye whiskies together before finishing it in black strap rum. Basil Hayden hopes the expression will help push the boundaries between the two categories and offers whiskey drinkers a fun new drink to play with this summer.
“With the release of Caribbean Reserve Rye, we wanted to give our fans a fun whiskey expression that you can bring out and share during warmer weather occasions, whether that’s mixing it up at an outdoor barbecue or gifting it for a housewarming celebration,” said Rob Mason, Beam Suntory vice president of marketing, whiskey.
“As a brand that has always broken traditional whiskey expectations, we’re excited to help our fans discover new, interesting ways to enjoy the rye category, and Caribbean Reserve Rye does just that.”
Basil Hayden Caribbean Reserve Rye is a blend of an 8-year-old Kentucky straight rye whiskey with a 4-year-old Canadian Rye Whisky, leading to a layered blended whiskey with spice, oak, and vanilla. The addition of black strap rum adds the characteristic sweet notes of brown sugar and molasses to the finished product.
With the spice of rye and the sweetness of rum, the balance is sure to be approachable for drinkers of both spirits. Basil Hayden suggests sipping neat, on the rocks, or in a summer cocktail, likely working well in both rum and whiskey drinks.
The new expression builds on the brand’s permanent Basil Hayden Dark Rye and is the third in a line of limited-edition rye whiskies released, led by Basil Hayden’s Rye Whiskey and Basil Hayden’s Two by Two Rye Whiskey. Dark Rye is the Kentucky rye blended with Canadian rye, finished with a “touch of California port.” Two by Two is a blend of approximately 20% bourbon and 80% rye.
Basil Hayden originally released Basil Hayden Rye Whiskey in 2017, and was not a far stretch for the bourbon distiller with an already high rye mash bill.
The Caribbean Reserve Rye is available nationwide the U.S., at a suggested retail price of $45.
