Henry McKenna is a long-running bourbon from Heaven Hill in Bardstown, Kentucky. The label carries the Bottled-in-Bond stamp, which means every drop is distilled in one season, by one distiller, aged at least four years in a federally bonded warehouse, and bottled at exactly 100 proof. Heaven Hill takes that rule a step further by letting the whiskey rest for a full ten years, making McKenna one of the oldest bonded bourbons you can still find on store shelves.
Mash Bill and Barrel Age
Heaven Hill uses its traditional bourbon recipe of roughly seventy-eight percent corn, twelve percent malted barley, and ten percent rye. The higher corn keeps the sip sweet, while a pinch of rye lifts the spice. Each barrel sits a decade in Kentucky’s rickhouses, soaking up cold winters and humid summers. Oak pulls sugars to the surface, darkening the spirit and adding notes of caramel, vanilla, and toasted wood. Because every bottle is drawn from a single barrel, small differences appear from batch to batch, but the core profile stays the same.
Nose: Sweet Oak and Orchard Fruit
Lift the glass and the aroma starts with rich caramel sauce poured over warm apple pie. Light vanilla drifts in next, backed by toasted oak and a dusting of cinnamon. A swirl brings out hints of honey and almond. Air time adds a faint mint leaf note from the rye. The nose feels layered but never overly sharp thanks to the extra aging that smooths rough edges.
Palate: Classic Kentucky Harmony
The first sip greets you with brown sugar and baked apple. Oak arrives quickly, carrying clove and a touch of black pepper. Mid-palate, creamy vanilla custard meets light orange zest. A sip from another barrel might lean more toward dark cherry or sweet corn, yet the structure always shows sweet front, spicy middle, and dry oak base. Alcohol heat is gentle for 100 proof, a sign of well-seasoned barrels.
Finish: Dry Spice and Toasted Sugar
The finish runs medium to long. Caramel fades into dry oak, leaving a pleasant grip on the tongue. Clove, nutmeg, and a trace of mint linger, along with a closing pop of pepper that reminds you of the rye slice in the mash bill. A thin ribbon of dark toffee sticks around as the spice settles, urging another sip.
Mouthfeel and Balance
McKenna coats the palate with a medium-weight texture, neither thin nor syrupy. The 100 proof level holds flavors together without a burn. Added water softens the oak and pushes citrus and honey forward, but most drinkers will find the whiskey well balanced straight from the bottle.
Price and Hunt Factor
A few years ago this bottle sat for $35, though strong demand after a major award sent prices climbing. In 2025, retail tags usually sit near ₹4,500 to ₹6,000 in India, or forty-five to sixty-five dollars in the United States, with some shops charging more when supply tightens. It still appears in the wild, yet you may need to check multiple stores or sign up for allocation lists.
Best Ways to Enjoy
- Neat in a Glencairn: Shows full depth of oak and fruit.
- With a splash of water: Opens up citrus, soft vanilla, and herbal mint.
- Old Fashioned: The ten-year oak backbone stands up to bitters and sugar.
- Paired with dessert: Goes well with pecan pie or dark chocolate bark.
Who Should Buy It
- Collectors looking for an age-stated bottled-in-bond that is still obtainable.
- Sippers who enjoy classic bourbon notes of caramel, apple, oak, and spice.
- Fans of single-barrel variety willing to explore the subtle differences from bottle to bottle.
Final Word
Henry McKenna 10 Year Bottled-in-Bond delivers a textbook Kentucky profile wrapped in extra maturity. Deep caramel, orchard fruit, and steady oak create a balanced dram that drinks smoother than its 100 proof might suggest. Rising demand means you may pay more than past shelf prices, yet the whiskey inside still justifies the hunt for anyone who values tradition, age, and single-barrel character in one reliable bottle.
