Basil Hayden Sr. - known as Old Grand-Dad to the generations that followed - made bourbon the way he wanted. He went against the traditional “grain” of the time and chose to distill his bourbon with a higher percentage of rye. This way of crafting bourbon was likely something he handed down to his son. And in turn, his grandson. That was Colonel R.B. Hayden who would justly name his bourbon after his Old Grand-Dad. The recipe today remains inspired by Basil's original with complex flavors and an unmistakable spiciness. First bottled in 1882, very little has changed about it. And that's the only way we'd have it.

All our Discovery Series releases push the boundaries of whiskey innovation, but Series #8 takes the program to a new level with our most complex creation to date. We start with an artfully crafted blend of Kentucky Bourbon, two Indiana ryes, and aged Canadian whiskey. We then add a custom selection of five oak staves that were created specifically to enhance the unique flavor of our original blend. The staves provide nuances that range from French toast to vanilla to Rioja barrels. The result is a celebration of innovation and a spirit bursting with flavor.