An exotic blend of two aged Rye Whiskies and Caribbean blackstrap Rum.

Jim Beam Distillery — the integral part of mega-corp Beam Suntory — is one of the largest Bourbon producers in the world. Seven generations of the Beam Family have worked the stills there since 1795. The Jim Beam Distillery makes an unusually large number of offerings for it’s core Jim Beam line and several brands, including Red Stag, Jacob’s Ghost, and a selection of higher end “small batch” Bourbons — Baker’s, Basil Hayden’s, Knob Creek, and our Bourbon of the day, Booker’s.

There is a growing trend to blend Whiskies with other Spirits to achieve different flavor profiles. Basil Hayden’s Caribbean Reserve Rye takes that trend to a new level, and it works. This new release from Beam Suntory is a blend of eight year-old Kentucky Rye, four year-old Canadian Rye, and dash of Caribbean Rum made from blackstrap molasses. You end up with a Spirits that looks like a Rye and tastes like a Rye with a sweeter flavor profile and an exotic smokiness at 40% ABV. But is it “really” still a Rye Whiskey? Well, that really doesn’t matter at this point because you have an interesting twist that balances sweetness and spice in a fun, summery, and unique way. And we ALWAYS judge a Spirit by its palate.