Compare
Evan Williams Black Label vs Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel
Comparing Evan Williams Black Label and Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel is a closer contest than it looks — both are traditional bourbons, separated mainly by price (~$14 – $18 vs. ~$40 – $70).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Evan Williams Black Label | Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 10 years |
| Proof | 86 proof (43% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +14 proof |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$14 – $18 ~$39 less | ~$40 – $70 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Evan Williams Black Label
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Evan Williams Black Label Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 5/8 oak: Evan Williams Black Label 5 out of 10, Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel 8 out of 10
heat 3/5 heat: Evan Williams Black Label 3 out of 10, Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel 5 out of 10
spice 4/5 spice: Evan Williams Black Label 4 out of 10, Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel 5 out of 10
nuttiness 4/5 nuttiness: Evan Williams Black Label 4 out of 10, Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel 5 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Evan Williams Black Label 6 out of 10, Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel 6 out of 10
fruit 4/4 fruit: Evan Williams Black Label 4 out of 10, Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- Evan Williams Black Label: The everyday black label, and a perfectly competent well bourbon. Softer and sweeter than the bonded version, with less to say but nothing objectionable.
- Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel: A ten-year bonded single barrel, which is a specification almost nothing else on the shelf matches. Dry and oak-forward with real age showing, though barrel variation means bottles differ more than most.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Evan Williams Black Label if you want a dependable, inexpensive mixing bourbon and nothing more complicated than that at a significantly lower price point.
- Go with Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel if you want a bonded, ten-year single barrel with genuine age at a sane price with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed cocktails, highball, rocks (Evan Williams Black Label); neat, rocks (Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel).