Henry McKenna has a long history. When I was growing up, my father kept two bottles in the garage. For Saturday and Sunday afternoons, we worked on neighbors cars and always had beer and some whiskey on hand. He kept a bottle of Early Times for the neighbors that needed a shot and a beer. Once the work was done, he often pulled out the Henry McKenna for the last drink of the day with who ever was left. Of course, I was allowed to sample the Early Time's, however, the Henry McKenna was off limits with a threat if I ever touched it.
Out of curiosity, what are some of the other bourbons you prefer around the $40-60 price range? I personally prefer the Four Roses SB but maybe it's not a fair comparison since it has a completely different mash bill.
I just pick up a bottle for $59 in NJ. First time I’ve seen it on the shelf so I picked it up. Also got a bottle of Blanton’s for $139 a couple days ago. Same situation.
@@90sMallArcade You said better in the price range now that McKenna is no longer in that price range. I like both McKenna and Heaven Hills better than EC. But they moved up in price. As did a lot of other bourbons. My bad. I do really like EC a lot though. I also like Russel’s Reserve 10 as well for 40.
I just found this here in NC and paid 50 bucks.....wasn't thrilled but it was the first time I have ever seen it and it was the last one. For an additional 20 bucks I thought it was worth a try.
Hey, nothing wrong with that at all. I do the same thing. When i haven't tried something and have the opportunity to grab it, as long as it's not ridiculous, I'll pay extra for the experience. Sometimes you find that gem that's totally worth it, worst case you still have bourbon.....and that makes for a good day 😄
I love JE's story. Just ran across a bottle of Henry McKenna at COSTCO (Calif. Bay Area) for $54. Just had my first sip and looked up a review on TH-cam. It seems very mild to me for a 100 proof bourbon. It's a bourbon I could get comfortable with and the price? Well, in this area of the country.....not too bad.
Bought a bottle today in NJ. for $59. It's the cheapest I've seen and they had 3 bottles. Only the second time I saw the stuff in 2 years of looking. Hard for me to justify a second bottle!
Yep, we've found it to be hit or miss. This bottle was not great. We recently picked up another bottle to compare and it is fantastic. That's the problem though, even though it's a single barrel, there should still be tighter consistency.
@@ThoseBourbonGuys Interesting. I was at a bar in my town and saw it on the shelf. I ordered it neat and liked it very much. That was 2 years ago. I hope the bottle I bought was worth it. With Russel's 10 y and WT Rare Breed around at $34 and $59 respectively they are hard to beat.
For $50 per bottle state minimum (liquor stores charge more) I'd get a readily available Old Forester 1920 for $60 vs search for this. Like you I was buying it for $30 - thanks, Fred!! Lol. Hope price drops as the hype dies down. Remember the runs on Angels Envy? Now it sits on shelves.
Totally agree. It's a great pour but there are alot of other bottles more readily available that I like more. Yep, Angel's Envy was marked up dramatically around me for awhile ($75, if you could find it) and now I can grab it for $45 anytime.
It is definitely getting harder to find and even higher in price. I'm hunting another bottle right now to compare to my current bottle. Being single barrel, I'm interested to see how big the variance is between bottles. I want to blind a 2 or 3 against each other.
@@ThoseBourbonGuys I just happened to ask the guy if he had McKenna....he went over and cut the box open. $49.99. Ive had a couple touches of it and its really good. I would drive over there now(about 5 miles away) to get a couple more bottles but will have to wait until tomorrow and hope there is some left. Edit....I just called store after posting the first comment and he is sold out. He got 6 and they are gone. I should have bought 3
Like you, I first discovered this bourbon back when it was readily available and always around $30. It was a steal for a 10 year old single barrel. I agree I wouldn't pay much more for it. I think it suffers from the same issue as some of the mostly non-store pick single barrel Knob Creeks I've had. Our good friend Forrest Gump tells us: ya never know what you're gonna get. Some are phenomenal and epitomize what I want out of a bourbon: awesome nose, thick, rich flavor with classic bourbon tastes. Others have been lackluster; never bad but don't live up to the hype. It's somewhat of a gamble, but they are Single Barrels.
Dang, yeah pricing is getting crazy. We tried another bottle and it's great! But with such a swing from just ok to great bottle to bottle I still have a lil anxiety grabbing a bottle. Will it be just ok next time or blow my socks off great.....who knows, lol.
Just a thought... next time we are over at the house...how about making your old Mother-in-Law an Old Fashioned. Never had one that I can recall. Love the vids.
Good luck finding it near $29....you may be critical since you know the original price, but there are a whole bunch of bourbons out there at $60 that aren't near as good...I like at $50
I would agree with you at this point. I'm even seeing it for $79 around our area. With everything going so high now, I think you need to find the bottles you really love and stock up while you can. They aren't going to get any cheaper any time soon.
Yep, that's what i used to pay. Since filming this, its very evident we're never going to see those prices again. If you like it, $55-$60 is decent pricing. We've seen it as high as $99.
I used to love this stuff back when it was $28 and you could find it all the time. But my tastes have changed a lot since then, and there is no way that I would pay the $40+ that they get for it nowadays, much less hunt for it. Same with Eagle Rare.
was just released again in my area, msrp is now 60-65. Honestly still think its worth that, i just look at it as if the secret got out lol. ER is all over the board, hard to find, typically around 35-40 but will occasionally find it for 45-50, still worth it at that price imo.
That was a few years back in SC. I haven't seen it less than $50 in around 2 years and less than $60 in the last year. Once it started winning awards the prices skyrocketed around us.
$70-99 in my area/market (So. Cal). Sadly, I was disappointed. Not bad...but tastes too similar to $9 Rebel Yell. And I can get Rebel all day long for on the cheap.
I think its a great pour, no doubt. That being said, there are other bourbons in the $40-50 range that i like more. Key phrase "I like more", lol. That's what I love about this hobby, taste is subjective and there are a ton of bourbons to fit everyone's taste.
Hey! Thanks for watching! I agree with so many in the ole whisky tubes...drink what you like how you like it. That being said, both taste and price are subjective. I do like this, a lot. I just have found alot of others in the $55 range i like better. I would totally agree in the $30ish range though.... for me. But hey, if this is your favorite, dude go for it! Bottom line, no matter the pour, pay what you feel its worth no matter what anyone says. They don't pay your bills. Again, thanks for watching, cheers!!
Nice review, thanks. My local guy here in NY has one 2020 release for $55. Seems crazy vs the $29 you paid but like you said, it's very rare and in high demand. You think it would be worth something in a few years?
Hey Phil! I don't know if it's rare enough.....yet....to go too much higher in price. I see it on a semi-regular basis around me but i haven't seen it go much higher than $55-$59. Though, i wonder how the strike at heaven hill and all this supply chain stuff will affect that. I know, I'm looking to grab a few extra of certain bottles when I have the opportunity....just in case.
@@ThoseBourbonGuys thanks, Pot, I'll probably pass. The silly thing is that if the MSRP was closer to this guy's price I'd probably go for it but at almost double I feel like a sucker. And as you say, although not easy to find, production doesn't appear too limited that would make it worth much if held? Buying bourbon is such a psychological tug of war in justifying purchases esp if you're not rich or poor. I really don't need 20 bottles of bourbon but here I am. lol
I passed on a bottle at $90 but found one today for $58 and bought it. My area is usually more expensive on most things (Eagle Rare at $60-$70, Rare Breed $68 if that tells you anything)
@@klg223kim6 I know, I checked out several stores on the UES a cpl weeks ago and came upon ridiculous prices. Double what I see by me in Westchester. I'm pretty close to CT and the one time I shopped in Danbury the prices and selection was amazing. I'll look to get back there soon. Cheers!
Henry McKenna has a long history. When I was growing up, my father kept two bottles in the garage. For Saturday and Sunday afternoons, we worked on neighbors cars and always had beer and some whiskey on hand. He kept a bottle of Early Times for the neighbors that needed a shot and a beer. Once the work was done, he often pulled out the Henry McKenna for the last drink of the day with who ever was left. Of course, I was allowed to sample the Early Time's, however, the Henry McKenna was off limits with a threat if I ever touched it.
There's just something special about a brand you grew up with and the memories it brings with it.
Great story! Early times for the neighbors! 😁
Stuffs everywhere in Massachusetts now.
Out of curiosity, what are some of the other bourbons you prefer around the $40-60 price range?
I personally prefer the Four Roses SB but maybe it's not a fair comparison since it has a completely different mash bill.
I just pick up a bottle for $59 in NJ. First time I’ve seen it on the shelf so I picked it up. Also got a bottle of Blanton’s for $139 a couple days ago. Same situation.
That's a good pickup at $59 now a days.
@@ThoseBourbonGuysyou don't mention what you like better in the price range. If McKenna isnt worth $40, what's better for $40 now?
@@90sMallArcadeElijah Craig Small Batch all day long. 35 bucks, same distillery, absolutely delicious.
@@LyleMyers I respectfully disagree that EC SmB is better than McKenna SiB. To each their own.
@@90sMallArcade You said better in the price range now that McKenna is no longer in that price range. I like both McKenna and Heaven Hills better than EC. But they moved up in price. As did a lot of other bourbons. My bad. I do really like EC a lot though. I also like Russel’s Reserve 10 as well for 40.
$29? thats 50 bucks where i live
It used to be 30 bucks a few years ago.
drank this most weekends in college. it even went on sale regularly at VA ABC now its allocated at 60 and you can't hardly find it. RIP
Yep, the good times at a great price is over. 😆
I just found this here in NC and paid 50 bucks.....wasn't thrilled but it was the first time I have ever seen it and it was the last one. For an additional 20 bucks I thought it was worth a try.
Hey, nothing wrong with that at all. I do the same thing. When i haven't tried something and have the opportunity to grab it, as long as it's not ridiculous, I'll pay extra for the experience. Sometimes you find that gem that's totally worth it, worst case you still have bourbon.....and that makes for a good day 😄
I love JE's story. Just ran across a bottle of Henry McKenna at COSTCO (Calif. Bay Area) for $54. Just had my first sip and looked up a review on TH-cam. It seems very mild to me for a 100 proof bourbon. It's a bourbon I could get comfortable with and the price? Well, in this area of the country.....not too bad.
Our only complaint...we've had awesome bottles and some stinkers...the varations are too wide for us.
I'm gonna have to head back to Costco because I just paid $20 over that at TW🤦🏾♂️
its now 59.99 in Virginia ABC
Bought a bottle today in NJ. for $59. It's the cheapest I've seen and they had 3 bottles. Only the second time I saw the stuff in 2 years of looking. Hard for me to justify a second bottle!
Yep, we've found it to be hit or miss. This bottle was not great. We recently picked up another bottle to compare and it is fantastic. That's the problem though, even though it's a single barrel, there should still be tighter consistency.
@@ThoseBourbonGuys Interesting. I was at a bar in my town and saw it on the shelf. I ordered it neat and liked it very much. That was 2 years ago. I hope the bottle I bought was worth it. With Russel's 10 y and WT Rare Breed around at $34 and $59 respectively they are hard to beat.
@@robdudzinski3177 Agreed
For $50 per bottle state minimum (liquor stores charge more) I'd get a readily available Old Forester 1920 for $60 vs search for this. Like you I was buying it for $30 - thanks, Fred!! Lol. Hope price drops as the hype dies down. Remember the runs on Angels Envy? Now it sits on shelves.
Totally agree. It's a great pour but there are alot of other bottles more readily available that I like more. Yep, Angel's Envy was marked up dramatically around me for awhile ($75, if you could find it) and now I can grab it for $45 anytime.
It’s 55 at Heaven Hill got one today
That seems to the be new going price for it around $55-65. Hate to say it, but gone are the days of grabbing it around $30.
Just paid $68 over the line in Michigan. Hard of not impossible to find in Ohio.
It is definitely getting harder to find and even higher in price. I'm hunting another bottle right now to compare to my current bottle. Being single barrel, I'm interested to see how big the variance is between bottles. I want to blind a 2 or 3 against each other.
@@ThoseBourbonGuys I just happened to ask the guy if he had McKenna....he went over and cut the box open. $49.99. Ive had a couple touches of it and its really good. I would drive over there now(about 5 miles away) to get a couple more bottles but will have to wait until tomorrow and hope there is some left.
Edit....I just called store after posting the first comment and he is sold out. He got 6 and they are gone. I should have bought 3
Like you, I first discovered this bourbon back when it was readily available and always around $30. It was a steal for a 10 year old single barrel. I agree I wouldn't pay much more for it. I think it suffers from the same issue as some of the mostly non-store pick single barrel Knob Creeks I've had. Our good friend Forrest Gump tells us: ya never know what you're gonna get. Some are phenomenal and epitomize what I want out of a bourbon: awesome nose, thick, rich flavor with classic bourbon tastes. Others have been lackluster; never bad but don't live up to the hype. It's somewhat of a gamble, but they are Single Barrels.
Agree 100%
I work in a liquor store today and it's now 68$ for 750ml
Dang, yeah pricing is getting crazy. We tried another bottle and it's great! But with such a swing from just ok to great bottle to bottle I still have a lil anxiety grabbing a bottle. Will it be just ok next time or blow my socks off great.....who knows, lol.
Great review!!
Thanks!
Just a thought... next time we are over at the house...how about making your old Mother-in-Law an Old Fashioned. Never had one that I can recall. Love the vids.
Definitely will...I have a new recipe to experiment with I think you'll like.
Good luck finding it near $29....you may be critical since you know the original price, but there are a whole bunch of bourbons out there at $60 that aren't near as good...I like at $50
I would agree with you at this point. I'm even seeing it for $79 around our area. With everything going so high now, I think you need to find the bottles you really love and stock up while you can. They aren't going to get any cheaper any time soon.
$29????
Yep, that's what i used to pay. Since filming this, its very evident we're never going to see those prices again. If you like it, $55-$60 is decent pricing. We've seen it as high as $99.
Indiana had it at 70$ .... 😵
Unfortunately, in my opinion, $60 - $70 is becoming a new norm for this.
@@ThoseBourbonGuys you noticed too huh? 🥴😵
I used to love this stuff back when it was $28 and you could find it all the time.
But my tastes have changed a lot since then, and there is no way that I would pay the $40+ that they get for it nowadays, much less hunt for it.
Same with Eagle Rare.
Agreed
was just released again in my area, msrp is now 60-65. Honestly still think its worth that, i just look at it as if the secret got out lol. ER is all over the board, hard to find, typically around 35-40 but will occasionally find it for 45-50, still worth it at that price imo.
Where is this still $29 retail?? I have bought it for around $55 in state run (and not) states and never seen it for less.
That was a few years back in SC. I haven't seen it less than $50 in around 2 years and less than $60 in the last year. Once it started winning awards the prices skyrocketed around us.
$70-99 in my area/market (So. Cal). Sadly, I was disappointed. Not bad...but tastes too similar to $9 Rebel Yell. And I can get Rebel all day long for on the cheap.
Finally found a bottle! $99. Had to pass.
Yeeahhhh.....that'd be a hard pass, lol.
I don't believe anyone would pass on this at $40 tbh, I can see some passing in the 50's...
I think its a great pour, no doubt. That being said, there are other bourbons in the $40-50 range that i like more. Key phrase "I like more", lol. That's what I love about this hobby, taste is subjective and there are a ton of bourbons to fit everyone's taste.
Best $55 (going price) BIB SB 10yr there is
Hey! Thanks for watching! I agree with so many in the ole whisky tubes...drink what you like how you like it. That being said, both taste and price are subjective. I do like this, a lot. I just have found alot of others in the $55 range i like better. I would totally agree in the $30ish range though.... for me. But hey, if this is your favorite, dude go for it! Bottom line, no matter the pour, pay what you feel its worth no matter what anyone says. They don't pay your bills. Again, thanks for watching, cheers!!
Mines bottled on 6-21-11 Is that normal ?
Month year day???
I'm thinking you're looking at the barreled date. It would have been bottled in the last couple months, after it hit the 10 year mark from that date.
Nice review, thanks. My local guy here in NY has one 2020 release for $55. Seems crazy vs the $29 you paid but like you said, it's very rare and in high demand. You think it would be worth something in a few years?
Hey Phil! I don't know if it's rare enough.....yet....to go too much higher in price. I see it on a semi-regular basis around me but i haven't seen it go much higher than $55-$59. Though, i wonder how the strike at heaven hill and all this supply chain stuff will affect that. I know, I'm looking to grab a few extra of certain bottles when I have the opportunity....just in case.
@@ThoseBourbonGuys thanks, Pot, I'll probably pass. The silly thing is that if the MSRP was closer to this guy's price I'd probably go for it but at almost double I feel like a sucker. And as you say, although not easy to find, production doesn't appear too limited that would make it worth much if held? Buying bourbon is such a psychological tug of war in justifying purchases esp if you're not rich or poor. I really don't need 20 bottles of bourbon but here I am. lol
@@ThoseBourbonGuys $90 and up in NYC!
I passed on a bottle at $90 but found one today for $58 and bought it. My area is usually more expensive on most things (Eagle Rare at $60-$70, Rare Breed $68 if that tells you anything)
@@klg223kim6 I know, I checked out several stores on the UES a cpl weeks ago and came upon ridiculous prices. Double what I see by me in Westchester. I'm pretty close to CT and the one time I shopped in Danbury the prices and selection was amazing. I'll look to get back there soon. Cheers!
Just got one and retail here in California 74.99😬🫣. Hope the price increase is worth it
They can be soooo good! But, also so meh..... Hope you got one of the good ones.