The founder of the Jim Beam Distillery was the German-born Johannes Jakob Böhm, who later changed his name to Jacob Beam. The whiskey he made became known as bourbon, named after Bourbon County in Kentucky. The founder's great-grandson, Colonel James B. Beam, rebuilt the company after Prohibition in 1933 near his hometown of Clermont. Other company directors were T. Jeremiah Beam and his son James B. Beam Booker Noe. Booker Noe's son, Fred Noe, continues the family tradition and now runs Jim Beam.

Basil Hayden matured in fresh American white oak barrels (Virgin Oak) for an undefined period of time. Bottled at a mild 40 vol. % alcohol, without coloring.

Aroma: Spicy with a dry oak note, hints of mint and tea, delicately sweet.

Palate: Peppery spiciness with mint tea and some clove, caramel and wood.