Coupled with the technicals this is very simply a great deal for around $30. You will receive a link to create a new password via email. Required fields are marked *. A hint of leather creeps in but doesnt overpower the oak and vanilla which dominate here as in the palate. But alas, the lack of a unique flavor profile is not always a bad thing, as a quintessential bourbon flavor profile is sometimes just what the doctor ordered. Taste Pretty quickly its obvious that theres more here than there was on the nose. Finish The finish is traditional, but long. Currently the most searched-for Bourbon on our database is Blanton's The Original Single Barrel People might say they want fine wine, but do they really want whiskey? Learn how your comment data is processed. Its a hard line, and younger ready enough bourbon cannot simply be substituted to increase production, presumably compromising quality or desired flavor profile as corporate pressures compete with the skillful selection of barrels in the rickhouse. Though it carries an MSRP of $30, it tends to range in price from $25-$35. The McKenna Bill was introduced in Congress in 1892 with a goal to allow distillers to legally have an unlimited bonding period. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); For a long while, Henry McKenna was a fairly obscure brand of bourbon in the Heaven Hill empire. Our always updated list of the best Bourbon to buy right now! I have far too much fun writing about whiskey and singlehandedly running The Whiskey Shelf to bring you independent, honest, and useful reviews, comparisons, and more. Henry McKenna has accumulated notoriety and awards over the years, making it something of a star child for the distillery. This is a highly-rated product for damn good reasons, and at the risk of adding to the hype, and subsequent lack of availability, were recommending you buy this any time you see it. McKenna quickly disappeared from shelves, but its slowly made its way back and is widely available once again, though the price can easily stretch up to $100 or more. With our dedicated team, weare here to help you make informed decisions about choosing the right whisky for you to drink. This was a bottle that sat on shelves until one day it won a world championship as best bourbon. document.getElementById( "ak_js_3" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. The alcohol unfortunately still overpowers much of the flavor its inescapable. The bourbon, which is made from a mash of primarily corn, is the only extra-aged bottled-in-bond single barrel bourbon available today. Full transparency, this is an Amazon affiliate link, so I may earn a commission if you buy this or something else from Amazon. Composition: 75% Corn, 13% Rye, 12% Malted Barley, Aged: 10 years, aged in virgin American white oak (barrel 4772), Color: 1.2/2.0 on the color scale (burnished), Henry McKenna Single Barrel is the only extra aged Bottled-in-Bond Single Barrel Bourbon. Facts Reviews How We Pack Facts Age 10 Year Old Country USA Region Kentucky Type Single Barrel Colouring No More from Henry McKenna Henry McKenna 75cl / 40% 34.95 (46.60 per litre) Bullgod666, 16 December 2019 Its just not good. Traditional notes of caramel and vanilla play against a backdrop of seasoned oak. If there is anyone still left unsatisfied, a $30 price tag should help lift their spirits. As I found more bourbon I enjoyed, the need to dive deeper into the history, brands, and technical side of things converted me into a total bourbon geek. Yes, this barrel of Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel is everything that I hoped it could be, so Im relieved. The flavors are well integrated, balanced, and backed by a wonderfully lush undertone. Balance is the point of this sipper. The story of Henry McKenna begins like those of many of its bourbon counterparts. I wonder if this barrel came from lower in the warehouse, where there was less fluctuation in temperature and humidity, leading to less vigorous aging in the barrel. Nose Some ethanol right up front which brings along some oak and caramel. What Heaven Hill has to say about the product: This high proof, Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon was named for Henry McKenna, the Irish immigrant who adapted his familys whiskey recipe to work the grains he found in Kentucky. Henry McKenna Single Barrel offers a traditional and quintessential flavor profile that should appeal to nearly every bourbon enthusiast. Heaven Hill says bottles should be on shelves within the week. In American Whiskey, Is Heritage Everything? His efforts to keep things clean paid off, as aging the bourbon longer helped refine the final product. Henry McKenna is one of the longest aged Bottled-in-Bond whiskeys available today, resting in the barrel through 40 Kentucky seasons. I saw it in at least 4 stores here in SE NC. Russell's Reserve 10 Years Old: Henry McKenna 10 year Bottled In Bond Review - Single Barrel selected for Everson Royce Distiller: Heaven Hill Distillery Age:10 years ABV: 50% Mashbill: 75% corn, 13% rye & 12% barley Price: $30 Barrel: 6386 P-7th floor EYE Dark Caramel NOSE Dark fruit leather and a rich warm wood flood the olfactory. Finish: Long, sweet, and spicy. Even better, it doesnt smell flat at all, which was one of my critiques of Rebel Yell 10 Year. Bourbon and chocolate make for a timeless combination. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Full transparency, this is an Amazon affiliate link, so I may earn a commission if you buy this or something else from Amazon. H enry McKenna 10 year represents a lot of things in the whiskey world. A friend gave me a 2019-released bottle and I felt the time was right to compare it against a 2011 bottling thats been kicking around here for years. Based on this bottle alone, I dont understand the acclaim. The brands founder was born in Ireland in 1819. I love what you guys are usually up too. Theres a little bit of wood, something bitter from the wood, and grass. Buying it is still a huge gamble. Price starts low and is sold to the highest bidder. Chocolate Bourbon Balls Are the Boozy Treat Were Making All Autumn Long: Henry McKenna Bottled In Bond 10 Year Single Barrel 100 Proof This high proof, Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon was named for Henry McKenna, the Irish immigrant who adapted his family's whiskey recipe to work with the grains he found in Kentucky. Christopher Null is the founder and editor in chief of Drinkhacker. While I won this time (absolutely worth $50-60), I have no idea what you might get. He focuses on good, clean flavor distilled above 190 proof. Henry McKenna 10 Single Barrel is a bottled-in bond bourbon by Heaven Hill. Henry McKenna Single Barrel is a 10 Year Old, Single Barrel Bottled-In-Bond that is well worth the $55 price tag it carries in North Carolina. He came to America and settled in Kentucky in 1838 where he owned a flour mill in Fairfield, Kentucky. Honey comes through immediately and jives with sweet fruit and spice. At the same time, this level of nuttiness is abnormal for Heaven Hill, so I was completely caught off guard the first time I drank it. After a few minutes, there is a lingering dryness that leaves my mouth dry and puckered. Chewing makes it more roasty and oaky, followed by nuts, honey, vanilla, tingly sweet oak, smoke, licorice, and pineapple. Whats all the fuss about? "The bouquet features smells of new car leather, breakfast cereal, cornmeal, pepper and hemp. A new generation of drinkers is breathing new life into America's native spirit but who is winning? Unfortunately, I dont know why this particular barrel is so much better than the other one I had that was. George Dickel Bourbon Whisky Aged 8 Years: Gone are the days when Buffalo Trace's Weller line presented an easy-to-find, affordable alternative to Pappy. Entry is nicely sweet and intensely grainy; the midpalate is the high point as the taste profile expands to include semisweet flavors of caramel corn, toasted marshmallow, dried . Rum Named in honor of Wild Turkeys father-son duo, Jimmy and Eddie Russell, this bourbon overdelivers on its price tag, offering affordably W. L. Weller 12 Year Old Kentucky Straight Wheated Bourbon Whiskey: I have far too much fun writing about whiskey and singlehandedly running The Whiskey Shelf to bring you independent, honest, and useful reviews, comparisons, and more. of bourbon:it starts mature but gets younger over time. McKennas passion for aging his whiskey longer than the competition was so evident that his name became associated with a congressional bill. Im proudly Asian American and can speak Cantonese, Mandarin, and some Japanese. Some botanical notes too, especially toward the finish. Regardless, both lines are Buzzard's Roost Char #1 Straight Bourbon Whiskey: Its more than just another Heaven Hill bourbon, though. Gin Theres plenty of roasted oak that definitely makes this tastes like its at least 10 years old. Elijah Craig Small batch even won "Best Small-Batch Bourbon" at the same competition. While this bourbon probably wont blow anyones mind, youd be hard-pressed to find a bourbon enthusiast who couldnt find something to like with it. DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. [2022] - [The Whiskey Shelf] | All rights reserved, 1.5/2.0 on the color scale (auburn, polished mahogany). When James died in 1941, Stafford finally threw in the towel and sold the distillery to Seagrams, which later sold the company rights to Heaven Hill Distillery, where the brand still resides today. Henry McKennas color is beautiful. I was hoping that the alcohol was mainly contained in the scents, but it permeates every part of Henry McKenna 10 Year bourbon. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Henry McKenna 10 Years Single Barrel 16 Of The Best Bourbons Under $50 Worth Buying, Glencairn Crystal Whiskey Glass, Set of 6, Clear, 6 Pack, Glencairn-like stainless steel snifter glass, Westward Whiskey Cask Strength Single Malt, Penelope Toasted Barrel Strength Bourbon Select. Crafted from 4-year-old sourced whiskey, this Buzzard's Roost release is aged in the distillery's "signature" charred barrels, imbuing the How Kentuckys Vintage Spirits Law Has Changed Alcohol Retail: When Im almost finished with the glass, I smell a little more grass, but thats about it. If you're not old enough to drink, then you're not old enough to read Breaking Bourbon. About Henry McKenna Single Barrel can be described as traditional; a quintessential bourbon flavor profile with the potential for subtle hints of magic if you happen to find a special barrel. The upside is that this Henry McKenna 10 Year Bottled in Bond has more body and viscosity. The dense peanut butter, caramel, oak, and spice with just enough supporting fruit and herbalness is amazing. Starting this month, Henry McKenna Single Barrel will no longer be a 10-year whiskey, nor a bottled-in-bond whiskey, nor a single barrel whiskey. One of the few remaining age-stated bourbons. It was only the second bourbon ever to win the whiskey category. I had never had Henry McKenna until 2021 because it got tatered before I discovered it. Word has it that McKennas penchant for aged bourbon stemmed, in part, from a commitment to sanitation in the bourbon distillation process. Swirling brings out more hefty nuttiness and roasted oak up front, followed by dense dark caramel, maple syrup, vanilla, dried apple, cinnamon, orange peel, cherry, and licorice. Numerous other states produce Bourbon however, particularly Kentucky's neighbor Tennessee. Couple with the boom in demand for all bourbon, and the scarcity of bottles at a similar quality and price-point . You can hold it up in sunset light and just enjoy the russet and amber hues reflecting. This barrel of Henry McKenna is a great showcase of many classic bourbon notes: caramel, cinnamon, oak, orange, clove, and kettle corn. Somewhat aggressive, but underlying notes of caramel, candy corn, and ripe tangerine help soften the blow. I also would have picked it as one of the best bourbons, regardless of price, and a superb budget bourbon. Henry McKenna 10 Year Old Bottled In Bond Bourbon. He quickly started his own distillery and hired another Irish immigrant to work as a distiller. So your timing for this article was spot on! About henry mckenna 10 year Sure it's an award winning bottle that has the ability to vaporize from shelves, but it's also a ten year old bottled-in-bond single barrel product. Sure its an award winning bottle that has the ability to vaporize from shelves, but its also a ten year old bottled-in-bond single barrel product. Its not great but its not bad either. Critics agree that this is perfectly balanced Bourbon. I got into bourbon for the flavor and experiences associated with it. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. A veteran writer and journalist, he also operates Null Media, a bespoke content creation company. Broadbay 8 Year Old Pedro Ximnez Cask Finish, Darkness! Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. And the taste lives up to the resume. I tried finding some and found that it isnt available in Maine. Caramel and vanilla, with roasted pine nuts and spice, and a slight hint of strawberry lead to a long and savory finish. 100.00 $. Whats more, it was one of the least expensive in the competition, at only $35 per bottle. Your email address will not be published. They felt that a higher-priced, rarer whiskey should have taken home the prize. BrMate NOSR, Double-Wall Stainless Steel Whiskey Nosing Glass 7oz (Matte Black), I know its weird to start a review like this, but the. When it comes to the technicals there are close comparisons at this price point, but none of them carry the combination of a 10 year age statement, single barrel, and BiB.While all this makes McKenna look like the class Valedictorian on paper, the question of value then becomes a subjective question of taste. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Customer Favourites With the strong alcohol fumes, this truly does not smell like a 10-year old bourbon. A special Kentucky liquor law has enabled a whole new form of retail to take shape across the Commonwealth. As an FYI, I bought and use these Glencairn glasses for everything (theyre the best): Full transparency, this is an affiliate link, so I may earn a commission if you buy this or something else from Amazon. Entry is nicely sweet and intensely grainy; the midpalate is the high point as the taste profile expands to include semisweet flavors of caramel corn, toasted marshmallow, dried fruit and chocolate covered cherry. Please read this important information before scrolling down to confirm that you understand the information contained using the tick box at the foot of this window, which will then allow you to access the website. Once Im able to recover, I can smell a little bit of wood, pine, brown sugar, and sweet corn, but its still bathed in alcohol. Critics agree that this is perfectly balanced Bourbon.. I loved it, but then never saw one until about a month ago. Aggressively woody and leathery on the nose, it certainly smells like some of the joys been sucked out of it. If you buy several bottles (of this or others) you can save a lot of money on shipping. The alcohol shockingly disappears in the aftertaste. What does typicity mean in relation to wine and how is it changing? Then a friend pointed out your blog to me and I must say I am absolutely blown away by the level of understanding you demonstrated on the subject. Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel has a fantastic lingering sweet oakiness and nuttiness that wraps up everything together into a great finish. When the glass is empty and only the heads are left on the side of the glass, I smell a little wood, pine, and honey sweetness with possibly some maple syrup. Either the age statement will drop, or the price will pop. Rate Henry McKenna Single Barrel 10 Year Old Bourbon Whiskey, Not sure if I had a bad batch but the bottle I purchased was awful. Today, Henry McKenna Single Barrel 10 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey honors the rich family tradition and pioneering spirit of the McKenna family. Full transparency, this is an affiliate link, so I may earn a commission if you buy this or something else from Amazon. Henry McKenna is produced in the same Bardstown, Ky., distillery that has created and acquired other well-regarded bourbon brands, including Elijah Craig, Larceny, and Evan Williams. Even with a previous awful experience, I couldnt help but try it again for $50, especially one bottled before the hype train steamrolled it. Henry McKenna's color is beautiful. Its that good. No need to buy a bottle, Kentucky, USA, Henry McKenna Single Barrel 10 Year Old Bourbon Whiskey Kentucky, USA. Nestor Liquor, Blantons Single Barrel Bourbon 700ml Henry McKenna was born in Ireland in 1819. Henry McKenna came to America in 1837 from Ireland and settled in Kentucky where he set out to create a better bourbon using his family's recipe. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. To back up though, Henry McKenna 10 Year at its core is a double-digit age statement, single barrel, and higher-proof bourbon from a famous Kentucky distillery.