Compare
Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel vs Uncle Nearest 1856
Comparing Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel and Uncle Nearest 1856 is a closer contest than it looks — both are traditional bourbons, separated mainly by price (~$40 – $70 vs. ~$55 – $70).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel | Uncle Nearest 1856 |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Traditional Tennessee Whiskey |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | 10 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$40 – $70 ~$8 less | ~$55 – $70 |
| Availability | Limited | Widely available easier to find |
- Uncle Nearest 1856 does not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Uncle Nearest 1856
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel Uncle Nearest 1856
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel 6 out of 10, Uncle Nearest 1856 7 out of 10
oak 8/7 oak: Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel 8 out of 10, Uncle Nearest 1856 7 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel 4 out of 10, Uncle Nearest 1856 5 out of 10
nuttiness 5/4 nuttiness: Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel 5 out of 10, Uncle Nearest 1856 4 out of 10
spice 5/5 spice: Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel 5 out of 10, Uncle Nearest 1856 5 out of 10
heat 5/5 heat: Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel 5 out of 10, Uncle Nearest 1856 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land close together on every flavor axis — the differences are in texture and proof more than character.
- 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.
- Uncle Nearest 1856: Named for Nathan 'Nearest' Green, the enslaved distiller who taught Jack Daniel, and now backed by the brand's own distillery in Shelbyville. Sweet and maple-leaning with the charcoal-mellowed softness of the style.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel if you want a bonded, ten-year single barrel with genuine age at a sane price.
- Go with Uncle Nearest 1856 if you want a sweet, maple-forward Tennessee whiskey with a story worth knowing behind it without hunting for it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Uncle Nearest 1856).