ModernThirst
    Facebook Twitter Instagram
    ModernThirst
    • HOME
    • News & Views
      1. Podcasts
      2. Videos
      3. Events
      4. Links
      Featured

      Four Gate Whiskey Announces Release 15.1, 15.2, & 15.3: The Bluegrass Trilogy

      By BillNovember 30, 20210
      Recent

      Four Gate Whiskey Announces Release 15.1, 15.2, & 15.3: The Bluegrass Trilogy

      November 30, 2021

      Old Forester 21st Release of Annual Birthday Bourbon

      August 24, 2021

      Press Release: Old Forester’s Next Release in the 117 Series Features a Blend of Barrels Aged Solely in Warehouse K 

      August 20, 2021
    • Bourbon & Whiskey
      • Bourbon and Whiskey Reviews
      • Bourbon and Whiskey Mash Bills
      • Bourbon Information & Resources
      • All Whiskey Content
        • Bourbon
        • Rye Whiskey
        • Scotch
        • Irish Whisky
      • Distillery Visits/Kentucky Bourbon Trail
    • Food, Beer, & Lifestyle
      • Pepperheads: Hot Sauce
      • Lifestyle & Features
      • Cocktail Corner
      • Food
      • Barware
      • Other Distilled Spirits
      • All Beer Content
      • Recipes
    • Hot Sauce
    • Shop
    • About Us
      • About Us
      • Patrons and Supporters
      • Sample Policy
      • Get in touch with ModernThirst
      • Advertise with ModernThirst
    ModernThirst
    Bottled-in-Bond

    Henry McKenna Single Barrel Bourbon (Bonded) Review

    BillBy BillApril 21, 2014Updated:January 22, 20185 Comments3 Mins Read

    Henry McKenna Single Barrel Bottled in Bond

    88 Solid

    If some bourbons can be criticized for being a bit too weak, with the flavors too subtle, this bourbon certainly avoids that pitfall. Like the big bourbons of ages past, it takes classic bourbon flavor and smacks you in the face with it.

    [amazon_link asins=’B00H143UXW,B06Y1VGMH2′ template=’MT-product-carousel’ store=’modernthirstc-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’89cd9de4-ff80-11e7-ad0b-b3d612b3a656′]

    Stats:

    • Barrel # 1052
    • Private Barrel Retailer: Liquor Barn (Barrel 1 #4524353)
    • Aged 10 years  (Barreled on Feb 27, 2003)
    • 50% ABV (100 Proof) Bottled-in-Bond
    • Price: $30
    • Distilled by Heaven Hill Distilleries

     

    What it is:

    Henry McKenna is a Heaven Hill produced bourbon out of the Louisville, KY Bernheim Distillery.  This single barrel bourbon is bottled in bond after aging ten years in a federally bonded warehouse near Bardstown, KY.   This particular bottle is from a private selection program at a local liquor store in which a retailer selects a barrel from the warehouse after sampling several and is able to offer all the bottles from that barrel to its customers.

     

    Packaging:McKenna BiB 10 Year 1

    McKenna Single Barrel is bottled in a short, squat bottle with cream and green labeling.    The Bottled-in-bond seal covers the screw-top cap, and handwritten barrel and bottle information marks the lower front of the label.  I wouldn’t call it unattractive, but it won’t draw attention on your shelf.

    Appearance:McKenna BiB 10 Year 2

    Deep Mahogany and amber. Inviting.

    Aroma:

    Mint is the first aroma to hit the nose, a characteristic of the Heaven Hill yeast strains.  But citrus fruit and caramel follow with strong woody oak hints.

    Taste:

    Caramel is the first flavor that hits right on the tip of the tongue with butterscotch flavors developing through the mid tongue.  Hints of vanilla range through with some orange peel on the edges.  Strong oak and tannin hits the back of the tongue.

    Finish:

    Pleasing and long, there is a definite pepper spice on the end with tannins and oak lingering along with that hint of mint.

    Synopsis:

    A surprisingly satisfying bourbon.  It isn’t nuanced, per say, but it’s solid throughout.  Its 100 proof makes it stand up well to water or ice, and adding distilled water brings out the citrus aromas even more strongly.   If some bourbons can be criticized for being a bit too weak, with the flavors too subtle, this bourbon certainly avoids that pitfall. Like the big bourbons of ages past, it takes classic bourbon flavor and smacks you in the face with it.  It’s a product of a no-regrets and no-frills distilling philosophy that makes no apologies for what it is, and makes no compromises. It’s straight forward, powerful, and quite enjoyable.

    ModernThirst.com score: 88 out of 100

    What does that score mean?

     

    Facebook Comments
    Previous ArticleTasting Bourbon 101
    Next Article Why Kentucky?
    Bill
    • Website
    • Facebook
    • Twitter

    Bill is the Co-Founder, Editor-in Chief, and official Bourbon-o-Phile for ModernThirst.com, and Founder and Chief Blending Officer for Four Gate Whiskey Company. He is a native of Louisville, KY in the heart of Bourbon Country. He attended the University of Kentucky in the mid to late 1990s. He has also been published on Liquor.com. He has conducted various bourbon and whiskey tastings in cities across the country, and consulted for multiple national labels. He is married with two daughters, and lives in east Louisville. You can follow him on Facebook and Twitter @BillStraub and email him at Bill@ModernThirst.com.

    Related Posts

    Four Gate Whiskey Announces Release 15.1, 15.2, & 15.3: The Bluegrass Trilogy

    November 30, 2021

    Old Forester 21st Release of Annual Birthday Bourbon

    August 24, 2021

    Press Release: Old Forester’s Next Release in the 117 Series Features a Blend of Barrels Aged Solely in Warehouse K 

    August 20, 2021

    5 Comments

    1. Matt on May 18, 2014 9:13 pm

      I really enjoy this bourbon…while there is a lot going on, I find it very drinkable. It would probably work well in cocktails, but I like it with a small cube of ice.

      Reply
    2. Pingback: The ‘Top Bourbon’ Lists | ModernThirst

    3. Pingback: Five Best Bourbons under $30 | ModernThirst

    4. Pingback: Ever wanted to see all of our Whiskey Review Scores in one Place? (March 2015) | ModernThirst

    5. BDanner on December 15, 2016 2:49 pm

      This is one of my favorites. You can’t accuse this one of being nuanced. Big Butterscotch with a lingering musty oak/leather finish that lasts and lasts. I read another review that referred to it as “Mullet Whiskey”. That’s about as good a description as any.

      Reply

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Shop
    Bourbon/Whiskey Reviews

    © 2020 ModernThirst. Please be responsible. Don’t drink and drive.

    © 2020 ModernThirst. Please be responsible. Don't drink and drive.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.