Day 10 of DB's Bourbon Trail 2024 Advent Calendar

Cheers and welcome to our 5th Annual Advent Calendar!

This month, we’re embarking on a high-end bourbon journey, reviewing 25 bourbons from award-winning distilleries across the United States. From December 1st to December 25th, we’ll explore everything from small batches to single barrels, all packed with flavor. Join us in toasting to another incredible year as we share some of our favorite bottles with you!

Our reviews are done using a Glencairn glass and neat, but remember, it’s your bourbon! Enjoy it however you like—over ice, with water, or in a cocktail. The key is to enjoy it your way and not let others influence your experience.

Enough of me rambling. Now, let’s dive into what brought us here!

Day 10 of DB’s Bourbon Trail 2024 Advent Calendar

HENRY McKENNA 10 YEAR SINGLE BARREL

Proof:

100 Proof (50%)

Distillery:

Heaven Hill Distillery (Bardstown, KY)

Message on the bottle:

This 10-year-old single barrel is a one of a kind Bourbon and one of the few bottled-in-bond products available.

Price Point:

At DB’s Bourbon Trail, we use BoozApp (not sponsored) to ensure fair pricing on our bourbon purchases. Nothing is worse than overpaying due to supply and demand games.
- Average MSRP:
  - $59.99
- Fair Price:
  - $73.94
- Shelf Price:
  - $79.99
- DB’s Bourbon Trail Instant Buy Price:
  - <$59.99

Review:

From their website:

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. Henry McKenna is one of the longest aged Bottled-in-Bond whiskeys available today, resting in the barrel through 40 Kentucky seasons. Critics agree that this is perfectly balanced Bourbon.

A fun fact that I didn't know before this review was that Henry McKenna is from Irish descent. Irish Whiksey has a long, rich line of history that dates back much further than bourbon. Even so much, that the word 'whiskey' (or whisky) comes from the Irish uisce beatha, meaning water of life.

Bringing a family recipe and tradition to the states - with the new found Kentucky grains and processes - Henry McKenna allowed for this bourbon to become an award winning spirit, while still being able to carry on his family tradition.

Nose:

The aroma of McKenna 10 is one of my favorites. It's exactly what you want when you go for a bourbon with its rich notes of vanilla, oak, and sweet caramel.

Palate:

The palate mirrors the nose with a burst of sweet honey and caramel. It's incredibly inviting, making you want to savor it again and again. As the flavors develop, you'll notice hints of dark fruits like blackberries and blueberries.

Finish:

The finish is just right, with the sweetness perfectly complementing the warmth of this bottled-in-bond bourbon. You'll still catch subtle hints of oak and vanilla.

Final Thoughts:

In recent years, Henry McKenna 10 Year has finally received the recognition it deserves! However, with this newfound popularity comes a bit of a catch-22. The MSRP has increased (which is acceptable if the extra money supports the distillery rather than resellers), but despite the price hike, it's sometimes impossible to find.

If you're searching for an exceptional bourbon, look no further! I highly recommend grabbing a bottle of Henry McKenna 10 Year. Its 10-year age statement enhances the oak flavor, allowing the vanilla and caramel sweetness to blend perfectly with the warmth.

Cheers y’all! 🥃

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