Uploaded September 2024 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
You can skip ahead, but you’ll miss a lot of great information along the way!
Shortcuts/Timecodes:
0:00 – Intro/Details
5:10 – McKenna Nosing
6:19 – McKenna Tasting
10:05 – Emmer Nosing
11:10 – Emmer Tasting
While visiting my local Total Wine here in Texas the other day, I saw two new bourbons I wanted to review for you. First was the new Old Emmer “Toasted Barrel” Bourbon that comes in a tall and colorful blue box. Not one to fall for packaging, I asked if they had a bottle open to sample, and they did. Using a 10% off sale they were running, I felt it was good enough for me to pick up a bottle to review. What is Emmer Wheat? It’s an ancient two rowed hulled wheat that goes back 10,000 years to Egypt. It’s also known as farro in Europe, and is a high protein wheat that’s commonly used for pasta, bread, pilafs and flatbreads. Total Wine has had the standard Old Emmer ($40 at 92 proof) for a few years now, and shortly after that launch, they added the 116 proof Cask Strength version at $45 (the deal of the two). Those both have a nice price to quality ratio and were aged a minimum of 4 years. This new $119 Toasted Barrel also states the same “minimum of 4 years old” but it’s kinda in the middle at 104 proof. Now being double barreled, I expected a price increase, but “triple the price” probably not. That said, I have seen them in other parts of the country for only $99 on the shelf. Catch that with a 10% off and you’re in business. And while $119 at 104 proof with a “minimum age of 4 years” Emmer may sound like a deal-breaker, let’s not forget that Buffalo Trace released the Daniel Weller Bourbon that used Emmer it quickly sold out at a retail price of $500 for a 94 proof 11 year old.
The McKenna 10-year-old Bottled-In-Bond (100 proof) bourbon is from barrel #14624 (Barreled on 2-12-13) that I picked up in Houston, Texas in July, 2024. It's from the Heaven Hill distillery and over the few years had been fairly scarce – until earlier this year. Since its reemergence I see it steadily on shelves at a price point ranging from $60-$80. My question is, is it as good as pre-2020 when we could get them for $25-$40 on the regular? So I picked up a new one that was bottled in 2013 to review. The thing to know is that McKenna 10’s are all single barrels. Single barrels are gambles. Some can have issues (usually not terrible ones), but they can also be mind-bendingly good! Some of my favorite Bourbons of all time have been single barrels. Just remember that unlike blends, the producers don’t have the ability to balance out imperfections in single barrels. You just have to have faith that the distillery has pulled them at their peak and hope that you get a really tasty one.
As of September 2024, my current bottle count is over 2,900. I am a Certified Specialist of Spirits and have also been accredited by the Tequila Regulatory Council (CRT). I've been actively collecting for three decades and what started as a small basic home bar has transformed (with the help and understanding of my wonderful wife) into this collection and career. Speaking of my career, I’m super proud to announce that my “Saints Alley “Nobleman” Rye Whiskey was named “Best American Rye” at the 2024 World Whisky Awards! Fortunately, we’re still aging up more barrels of it, so I’ll be checking those soon to create the next batch! But until then, don’t forget, that our other Bourbons have also won multiple awards and are on Total Wine shelves now (be sure to ask for a sample when you're there)! Our Flagship Port & Cognac just got a Double platinum at Fred Minnick's 2024 Ascot Awards, and "The Herald” our Armagnac finished Bourbon took home the gold from the '24 New Orleans Spirit Competition. And let's not forget that just last year, our Special Edition "Herald" that adds Pineau Des Charentes casks to the standard's Armagnac alone was named "The Best Overall Bourbon" in a blind competition at Tales of the Cocktail's - 2023 New Orleans Spirit Competition! Given my decades of consumer/reviewer experience, you know I’m working hard with my team to continue bringing you whiskeys that we’re very proud of! Thanks for watching and please remember to drink responsibly. Cheers!
You can skip ahead, but you’ll miss a lot of great information along the way!
Shortcuts/Timecodes:
0:00 – Intro/Details
5:10 – McKenna Nosing
6:19 – McKenna Tasting
10:05 – Emmer Nosing
11:10 – Emmer Tasting
While visiting my local Total Wine here in Texas the other day, I saw two new bourbons I wanted to review for you. First was the new Old Emmer “Toasted Barrel” Bourbon that comes in a tall and colorful blue box. Not one to fall for packaging, I asked if they had a bottle open to sample, and they did. Using a 10% off sale they were running, I felt it was good enough for me to pick up a bottle to review. What is Emmer Wheat? It’s an ancient two rowed hulled wheat that goes back 10,000 years to Egypt. It’s also known as farro in Europe, and is a high protein wheat that’s commonly used for pasta, bread, pilafs and flatbreads. Total Wine has had the standard Old Emmer ($40 at 92 proof) for a few years now, and shortly after that launch, they added the 116 proof Cask Strength version at $45 (the deal of the two). Those both have a nice price to quality ratio and were aged a minimum of 4 years. This new $119 Toasted Barrel also states the same “minimum of 4 years old” but it’s kinda in the middle at 104 proof. Now being double barreled, I expected a price increase, but “triple the price” probably not. That said, I have seen them in other parts of the country for only $99 on the shelf. Catch that with a 10% off and you’re in business. And while $119 at 104 proof with a “minimum age of 4 years” Emmer may sound like a deal-breaker, let’s not forget that Buffalo Trace released the Daniel Weller Bourbon that used Emmer it quickly sold out at a retail price of $500 for a 94 proof 11 year old.
The McKenna 10-year-old Bottled-In-Bond (100 proof) bourbon is from barrel #14624 (Barreled on 2-12-13) that I picked up in Houston, Texas in July, 2024. It's from the Heaven Hill distillery and over the few years had been fairly scarce – until earlier this year. Since its reemergence I see it steadily on shelves at a price point ranging from $60-$80. My question is, is it as good as pre-2020 when we could get them for $25-$40 on the regular? So I picked up a new one that was bottled in 2013 to review. The thing to know is that McKenna 10’s are all single barrels. Single barrels are gambles. Some can have issues (usually not terrible ones), but they can also be mind-bendingly good! Some of my favorite Bourbons of all time have been single barrels. Just remember that unlike blends, the producers don’t have the ability to balance out imperfections in single barrels. You just have to have faith that the distillery has pulled them at their peak and hope that you get a really tasty one.
As of September 2024, my current bottle count is over 2,900. I am a Certified Specialist of Spirits and have also been accredited by the Tequila Regulatory Council (CRT). I've been actively collecting for three decades and what started as a small basic home bar has transformed (with the help and understanding of my wonderful wife) into this collection and career. Speaking of my career, I’m super proud to announce that my “Saints Alley “Nobleman” Rye Whiskey was named “Best American Rye” at the 2024 World Whisky Awards! Fortunately, we’re still aging up more barrels of it, so I’ll be checking those soon to create the next batch! But until then, don’t forget, that our other Bourbons have also won multiple awards and are on Total Wine shelves now (be sure to ask for a sample when you're there)! Our Flagship Port & Cognac just got a Double platinum at Fred Minnick's 2024 Ascot Awards, and "The Herald” our Armagnac finished Bourbon took home the gold from the '24 New Orleans Spirit Competition. And let's not forget that just last year, our Special Edition "Herald" that adds Pineau Des Charentes casks to the standard's Armagnac alone was named "The Best Overall Bourbon" in a blind competition at Tales of the Cocktail's - 2023 New Orleans Spirit Competition! Given my decades of consumer/reviewer experience, you know I’m working hard with my team to continue bringing you whiskeys that we’re very proud of! Thanks for watching and please remember to drink responsibly. Cheers!
