Scott_E
Henry McKenna Straight Bourbon
Bourbon — Kentucky, USA
Reviewed
March 24, 2019 (edited May 18, 2019)
I was at a local whiskey tasting event and near the end of the evening, I found myself at the Heaven Hill kiosk. This Henry McKenna was one of the samples. We had some good discussions about the whiskey lineup they were providing and in talking about this pour I mentioned that this is not sold in our area, which they did acknowledge to be true. So, before close, they handed me the 2/3 full bottle of this and Rittenhouse for me to take home. So now I can properly take my time and truly taste (amongst a bunch of other different goodies.)
The mash I’ll is comprised of
75% corn, 13% rye, 12% barley all aged for about years.
Caramel color which brings with it a nose that is very straight forward sweetness: caramel, corn, vanilla. A damp, mustiness is mixed in with the sweetness; like a old barn on a fall, damp day. Cinnamon notes are lightly apparent. Acetone seeps through as you draw in the aromas.
The body is extremely thin. What is delivered is caramel, vanilla and corn. Cinnamon spice starts to appear towards and into the finish. Not much in flavor variety.
The finish is oak and spice, vanilla and caramel all lasting for a medium length.
This is about as straightforward as a bourbon goes. Affordable as I see it retails for under $20 (more in the $15 range). Sips extremely easy. Simple as simple gets. This is probably geared for mixing than sipping. Easy, simple, enjoyable, approachable. [82/100][Tasted: 3/23/19]
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Oddly enough right after posting this, I found a store that carry's the fifths, so maybe in the not too distant future eh! better things on hand just atm
@BeppeCovfefe Definitely a low end pour. Designed as a mixer, and with that, does what it’s supposed to do.
The brown label McKenna only seems to show up in the 1.75 liters in these parts and that's a bit much for a bourbon I know is going to be too young and green for me to truly enjoy.
@Rick_M your calling seems to be to have a very lucrative career in whiskey review blogging
@Rick_M it may have bought a 1/4 star. This is one that will not blow your hair back. Their generosity was quite unexpected and gracious. Sadly, I arrived too late and missed their only bottle of Barrel Proof. Maybe this was a compensation.
@PBMichiganWolverine I haven’t had the BiB yet to compare. I have an unopened bottle and will compare. I can assume and project it will be way more complex than this. More to come...
@Scott_E - didn’t their generosity earn them an extra star? Hell, I can be bought. :)
How does this compare to their BiB 10?