The Details
Tasting Notes
Introduction:
I was fortunate enough to discovery Henry Mckenna before it won the prestigious award of Best Whiskey of the Year in the 2019 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Prior to, I was buying this on the regular for only $30! I should’ve stocked up, but will still find it here and there for $50. It’s still easily worth the $50 price tag, although it’s easy to find secondary prices up near $90. But Heaven Hill just did it again with another great whiskey. I’ve been really enjoying everything under them, and this is no exception.
Color:
Aphrodisiac Auburn
Nose:
Instantly gather the very typical bourbon smells of sweet caramel vanilla oak. Doesn’t smell hot at all, and it’s damn inviting. I want to dive in head first and swim in it. A hint of nectarine on the back end.
Palate:
Starts a little dry, and a tiny hot. But ends buttery and rich. The caramel flavored oak is apparent in this exemplary whiskey. I sense some lightly charred toffee and of course, the sponge vanilla flavor. All beautifully balanced.
Conclusion:
There’s a reason this won Best Whiskey of the Year! And it’s the Worldly competition! I stated on my first rating (Four Roses Single Barrel) that Four Roses is the “quintessential bourbon,” but maybe Henry McKenna juuuust has this beat. I don’t know why I can’t place this higher than a 7. It’s damn good. And the complexity from dry to butter is great. But the flavor profile isn’t complex enough to reach up to an 8. Maybe I’ve been stingy with my ratings….I don’t know. I’ll keep adjusting as I go on. At any rate, I still buy this for $50 every time I see it, and suggest you do the same.
Try this if you like:
Four Roses Single Barrel, Stellum, Elijah Craig Toasted and Barrel Proof, Heaven Hill BIB, Old Ezra 7 Year