Henry McKenna is a Kentucky bourbon brand with roots that trace back to an Irish immigrant who brought his family’s whiskey-making knowledge to America in the mid-19th century. Henry McKenna arrived from County Derry, Ireland, in 1837 and eventually settled in Kentucky, where he began distilling in 1855. He became known for his dedication to quality and for adapting traditional Irish whiskey-making practices to the grains and resources of Kentucky. Over time, the McKenna name became one of the region’s respected early bourbon labels.

Today, Henry McKenna Bourbon is produced by Heaven Hill Distillery, one of the largest family-owned distilleries in the United States. The flagship expression, Henry McKenna Single Barrel 10 Year Bottled-in-Bond, has gained particular acclaim. It is one of the few bourbons that combines three rare markers of quality: single barrel (each bottle drawn from an individual cask), bottled-in-bond (meeting strict government standards for authenticity, aging, and proof), and a full decade of maturation. This combination makes it unique in the bourbon world and has earned it awards and recognition from critics and enthusiasts alike.

The style of Henry McKenna tends to balance richness with structure—corn sweetness and vanilla from the oak, spice from rye in the mash bill, and a depth that comes from its extended aging. Because it is a single barrel bourbon, each bottle carries subtle differences, making it a whiskey that rewards exploration while staying consistent to the house character.

As a brand, Henry McKenna represents heritage, authenticity, and craftsmanship. It connects the immigrant spirit of its founder—bringing tradition from Ireland to Kentucky—with the modern excellence of Heaven Hill’s stewardship. Among bourbon enthusiasts, it is seen as both a collector’s bottle and a whiskey of integrity, one that honors more than 160 years of history in every pour.