Hannah’s J Henry 05 Yr Bourbon Review
Original review written on August 29, 2020
GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
J Henry 05 Yr Bourbon Review: I first tasted this with family in the state of Wisconsin. While I may not have been originally impressed, I come back to it constantly surprised by its soft warmth and complexity. 90/100
VITALS:
– Made In: Wisconsin, USA
– Distillery: DSP-WI-15005, 45th Parallel Distillery
– Aged at: J Henry & Sons Distillery
– Classification: Wisconsin Straight Bourbon Whiskey
– Age: 5 yrs.
– Mash Bill: Red heirloom corn=60%; Heirloom winter wheat=14%; Heirloom spooner rye=14%; malted barley=12%
– Casks: Char #3 (after 2 yr stave seasoning and light barrel toasting
– Barrel Entry Proof: unpublished
– ABV: 46% (92 proof)
– Batch No. 57; Bottle No. 1865
– Price: $49.99 USD in Wisconsin
For more information, visit jhenryandsons.com
ENJOYMENT METHOD:
I enjoyed the juice neat from a Glencairn glass with father and fellow Whiskey for the Ages reviewer, Brian.
Check out his review for this bourbon here!
SETTING:
This bourbon screams comfort and coziness. It’s the perfect pour to enjoy surrounded by reclaimed wood in a large room, tucked into a leather armchair and covered by a thick, fluffy blanket.
Photo by Drew Coffman on Unsplash
NOSE:
This has a very mild nose, with dusty grain and a yeasty warmth being the first things to hit me. Underneath, I get winey-tannins – not particularly grapey, but there does seem to be a date fruit flavor, or perhaps prune that accompanies the tannins. Either way, the fruit seems dried.
There is also a dark, but non-bitter sugar that conveys a warmth that’s comforting, but not overwhelming. I don’t think it’s caramel or syrup; it could be molasses, but I’m unsure on account of the lack of bitterness. This sugary flavor could even be roasted peanuts or an extra oily peanut bitter.
A soft, but subtly spicy oak lies at the foundation and makes all of the aforementioned flavors mesh together nicely.
PALATE:
– Mouth Feel: Very soft, smooth and oily – so much so, it could be dangerous.
– Balance: Surprisingly complex, with no flavor overpowering another.
– Visual: Tawny in color, this has a crown with clinging droplets. Once they become legs, they drop quite quickly.
– Taste: The oak from the nose comes through first, remaining soft, but chewable all at once. Surprisingly, cherries follow the oak, but they aren’t the maraschino cherries of milkshakes, rather a mildly sweet, pitted cherry. Little spice to be found, minus the tiniest tickle of nutmeg or cinnamon, which kicks at the back of the sip.
Other mild, sweet flavors can also be found, like sweet bread buns (e.g. hamburger buns) and apples. Touch of simple syrup, graham cracker crust, and macadamia nuts… It’s impressive, especially since initial sips did not leave me with a complex impression. Yet each sip shows that there’s still more to be found.
A Kentucky chew brings out an oaky tannin component with white pepper, grains and prunes bursting forth. It barely burns at all, and while being relatively low proof for bourbon (at 92), I see it being dangerous in its smoothness.
FINISH:
– Lasting Power: Medium. I have some leftover warmth in my cheeks and some lasting flavors at the back of my tongue. Neither travel anywhere else.
– Between Sips: The cherry, oak, and grain linger on the palate between sips, combining with the warmth nicely to make a grand, cozy feel.
– No More: Everything about this pour stays consistent throughout with its warmth and flavors. This is a solid offering, with subtle complexity and coziness being the main takeaways. No new surprises – just pleasantly steady.
The empty Glencairn is a sweet oak with little else, but it’s still incredibly satisfying. It could be a bit warmer, I suppose, but I’m not about to complain.
WORTH THE PRICE?
Hovering at $50 USD, I’m hesitant to call this necessarily a bargain. I think it is a great option for those who like mellow tastes, or like having something simple in the bunker. Yet I’m unsure I would go out of my way to secure future bottlings. However, it does carry a happy experience with me in my memory. So for nostalgia purposes, I could be persuaded to buy another bottle should the brand become available in Idaho.
RATING: 90/100
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To access other whiskies from this brand, click J Henry & Sons.
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