Henstone Whisky
Since their first ex-Bourbon barrel release in 2021, they have gone on to release their spirit aged in ex-sherry casks (Oloroso and Pedro Ximinez) as well as spirit finished in small 125 ex-peated quarter casks. Each release is a small batch release, the details of which can be found on their website.
Their Old Dog Corn Liquor, which was launched in January 2020, outshines may equivalent products from across the pond in opinion. Their whisky has a lovely, natural barley’d character with relatively unobtrusive oak and the peated release shows just how much peat character can be extracted form those small casks in a relatively short period of time and is a fantastic dram.
Incidentally, the name Henstone originates from the family homes of the co-founders. Chris and Alexandra Toller live in an ex-public house called ‘The Hen and Chickens’, whilst Shane and Alison live in ‘Stone House’ – Simples!
Henstone Distillery Whisky Ex-Bourbon Cask Aged 43.8%
3 year old spirit aged in ex-Bourbon casks. NCF Tasted: Jun 2022 Aromas of soft bu lightly edgy barley, honey, citrus and subtle oak vanillins. It becomes slightly creamy as the oak kicks in.
The palate opens with some soft, yet unobtrusive oak and plenty of barley. Hints of malt and some subtle hoppy/ herbal notes. The oak kicks in on the middle adding sweet vanilla and subtle spice. Long, slighly edgy barley and creamy oak finish. Again, there’s a touch of the Mackmyra about it. Lovely spicy aftertaste.
Henstone Distillery Shropshire Lad’s Caradoc Charcoal Filtered White Rum 41%
Tasted: Dec 2023 A full and rounded nose of soft dried apricot and apple along with a subtle sub-Agricole herbal note and late citrus.
The palate is opens with the edgy/ herbal sub-Agricole character. Subtle marzipan, dried fruit and chocolate follow. Good length with lingering marzipan and citrus.
Henstone Distillery Old Dog Corn Liquor 41.5%
Corn, wheat and barley mash aged 8 months in American oak Tasted: Jun 2022 The nose is sweet and corny, but very fresh and clean with a subtle note of sweet American oak. Hints of citrus, ginger and white fruit.
The palate is full, corny and estery with plenty of sweet American oak and hints of white fruit, ginger and lemon. Its quite complex and layered for a young spirit and there’s a slight Mackmyra-esque thing going on. Long, toasty oak finish with lingering corn and soft spice.
Henstone Distillery 5 year old Ex-Bourbon: Release 1 46%
Batch 18 200ltrs ASB No HDC009 Dist: May/ June & Aug 2018 Btl: Sept 2023 Tasted: Sept 2023 The nose is fresh and very fruity. It displays a lovely depth of apricot, pineapple, apple and honey. Subtle creamy oak appears along with a touch of toffee, barley and citrus. Good depth and intensity with a subtle botanical edge.
The palate is generous and fruity with apricot, pineapple, apple and hints of honey. Lovely balance with the oak adding noes of vanilla and toffee, which is balanced by a good citric seam. Again, slightly botanical on the middle. Good length with lingering botanical, citrus and creamy toffee. Lovely chewy, malty after-taste.
Henstone Distillery Whisky Ex-Peated Cask Aged 46%
Wood type: ex-bourbon (Jim Beam), 200 litre American Standard and then finished 7 months in 125 litre ex-peated quarter cask Cask Number: HDC0014, HDC0015 & HDC0016 then finished in HDC0063 Dist Oct, Nov, Dec & Jan 2018/19 Btl: Sept 2022 Tasted: Nov 2022 Aromas of sweet barley, astringent green fruit and peat. Quite fresh and crisp with honeyed undertones. Late green apple and earth.
The palate opens with barley and white chocolate, followed by ashy peat, subtle honey and white fruit. Good intensity and feeling a little more mature than the ex-Oloroso and ex- Pedro Ximinez release, although there is a slightly rose petal spirit note on the finish but some lovely spices as well and a honeyed after-taste.
Henstone Distillery Shropshire Lad’s Toasted Spice Rum 41%
Spices- Fennel, black pepper, pimento, cardamom and vanilla. Tasted: Dec 2023 The nose displays noticeable toasted fennel, black pepper and vanilla. Subtle dried rummy fruit and pimento appears, but overall, the nose is well balanced and not dominated by the spices.
The palate opens with the rummy dried fruit and vanilla. The spices are subtle – fennel, black pepper and pimento. Good balance and intensity. Long, herbal, grippy, slightly tannic spice finish with the pimento lingering.
Henstone Distillery Non Pareil Apple Brandy 45%
Tasted: July 2022 A pungent and slightly feinty nose with green apple skin and subtle Mezcal-esque pulped white fruit. Slightly peppery with vanilla and a sweeter apple note in the background.
The palate is a touch fuller than the nose suggests with more fleshy apple. Like the nose it has a slightly edgy Mezcal-like astringency with hints of wheat flakes and spice. Good length, herbal, apply finish. Very intriguing!
Henstone Distillery Shropshire Lad’s Evolution - Cherrywood Rum 41%
Tasted: Dec 2023 The nose is slightly sweet and honeyed with dried fruit and biscuity notes. The cherrywood is subtle and not overpowering. It develops a touch of citrus, vanilla and earth.
The palate is fresh and citric with subtle cherry and biscuity notes. Hints of dried fruit, vanilla and bitter spice come through. Good intensity and length with marzipan and citrus finish.