Brian’s J Henry 05 Year Bourbon Review
reviewed: 29-August-2020
J HENRY & SONS 05 YEAR OLD WISCONSIN STRAIGHT BOURBON REVIEW:
J Henry 05 Year Bourbon is so soft and subtle it could almost be dismissed if mixed, blind tasted, or poured after having another whiskey. When first introduced by a brother over several nights during a week long vacation, I had previously enjoyed pours of Dry Fly Bourbon 101, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof C919, Old Ezra 07 Year Barrel Strength, and Weller Antique 107. How unfair; I’m glad I reserved judgement and secured a bottle for my own controlled review. J Henry & Sons 05 Year Wisconsin Straight Bourbon deserves its place in the sun; to stand on its own. When enjoyed on in this manner, it shines. I believe this bourbon would be a nice addition to any bar or bunker.
J HENRY & SONS 05 YEAR OLD WISCONSIN STRAIGHT BOURBON VITAL STATS:
– Category: Small Batch Bourbon
– Region: Wisconsin
– Distillery: DSP-WI-15005, 45th Parallel Distillery
– Aged at: J Henry & Sons
– Mash Bill*: 60% Red Heirloom Corn, 14% Heirloom Winter Wheat, 14% Heirloom Spooner Rye, and 12% Malted barley (N. WI sourced)
– Barrel Char: #3 (after 2 year stave seasoning and a light barrel toasting)
– Barrel entry proof: unpublished
– Age: 5 years
– Batch No.: 57
– Bottle No.: 1865
– ABV: 46% (92 Proof)
– Price: $49.99 USD (Wisconsin, 2020)
“All of our bourbons are made using Heirloom Red Corn, Heirloom Wheat, and Heirloom Rye, all grown on our farm in South Central Wisconsin, which has been in our family since 1946.” – J. Henry and Sons
*Learn more at https://jhenryandsons.com/.
ENJOYMENT METHOD:
Three ounces were poured and enjoyed from a new bottle several days before conducting this review. For the evaluation, review portions were alternate poured into two Glencairns and the whiskey was reviewed neat, with my daughter and fellow Whiskey for the Ages reviewer Hannah.
Check out her review for this bourbon here!
NOSE:
On the nose, J Henry 05 Year Bourbon’s aroma is gentle with an almost creamy potpourri of fruit tree blossoms, fresh shucked sweet corn and soft wheatiness. A fruity nectar of ripe berries, soft caramel over apples and Maraschino cherries is well blended in this bourbon. Allspice and white pepper mix with a yeasty breadiness and a hint of graham crackers in vanilla custard which lingers with notes of fresh vanilla taffy and light brown sugar. Aromas of cashews and pinenuts, new cut sweet oak and hazy toasted wood can also be coaxed from the glass with continued nosing.
PALATE:
The first sip is not exactly warm, but all the same, quite “bourbony”. As the liquid fills my mouth, the potpourri of fruit tree blossoms and wheatiness sensed on the nose amplifies. The cacophony of fruits in the aroma becomes concentrated; like the the nugget syrup inside chocolate covered cherry confections. Spices of powdered ginger, pepper, rye and allspice dance with apple cinnamon pie filling and a yeasty dough on the tongue. I also sense faint traces of milk chocolate creaminess and a touch of light vanilla in buttery soft caramel, mixed into pinenuts and walnuts. And on the back of the tongue, dry, hazy toasted wood, notes of oak barrel char and an earthy leatheriness treats as the sip is swallowed. As I enjoy the liquid, I felt J Henry 05 Year Bourbon would take a scoop of ice cream over a slice of warm apple pie fresh from the oven to the next level.
Balance, Body, Feel and Look:
In the mouth, the bourbon is solid and well blended, mellow and creamy. When the glass swirled and held to the light, a well defined inverted crown quickly gives way to widespread, but thin long legs falling back into the deep honey colored bowl of the Glencairn.
FINISH:
J Henry & Sons 05 Year Bourbon has a medium, smooth and warm finish. The hints of sweet corn, wheat and white pepper noted in the aroma and taste bend nicely with a sweetness of crushed cashews in light brown sugared cream cheese frosting and a sensation of new tanned leather. Dry oak and hazy toasted wood with notes of barrel char linger on the back of the tongue as each sip fades away. And when the pour is gone, sweet oaky barrel char wafts from the empty Glencairn and the longer the vessel sits, the deeper the oakiness becomes.
MY RATING: 87/100
Will I seek out this whiskey in the future? Yes
Click to read Brian’s scoring process.
Click 87/100 to access other whiskies with this score.
To access other whiskies from this brand, click J Henry & Sons.
WHISKEY TRAITS AND FLAVOR NOTES AND PROFILE GRAPH:
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