Two Souls Spirits Rum-Finished Bourbon & Rye From J. Henry & Sons: A Risk Worth Taking
- Jes Smyth
- 17 hours ago
- 6 min read
There's plenty worth paying attention to when it comes to craft whiskey. Something I've noticed about the small but mighty distilleries blazing a trail in the whiskey market is that they all share one core value: passion. Having explored more than a few craft distilleries here at Amongst The Whiskey, we have some idea of what it takes to run a successful artisanal operation. And I use the word "some" very pointedly here. Considering what a craft distillery can do, adding an independent bottler like Two Souls Spirits makes things far more interesting for the curious and equally passionate consumer. Independent bottlers occupy a space between distiller and drinker, seeking out barrels from craft producers and then asking a very important question: What else could this whiskey become?
A barrel of whiskey isn't just "a barrel filled with whiskey." It's so much more than what meets the eye. As someone who leans into the romance of life, I think of whiskey as alive and constantly adapting to its vessel—sometimes soaking into its surroundings and other times evaporating under the pressure of simply being. In other words, letting a whiskey age in a barrel, even for a few extra months, can change things for the better (or worse), just as finishing it in a number of already used casks can impart another layer of welcome (or unwelcome) complexity, and simply recognizing that a barrel is already special and deserving to be shared as is, is a possibility too. Two Souls does all three brilliantly, and reuses previously released barrels to age yet-to-be-released whiskey. With options to play with, along with risks to consider, Two Souls has built its model around exactly that kind of curiosity, working with craft distilleries across the country to hand-select and develop limited releases.
Two Souls Spirits' rum-finished bourbon and rye are a particularly interesting example of that philosophy. They're a reminder that supporting craft whiskey isn't simply about seeking out small distilleries. It's also about supporting the people willing to take those spirits somewhere else and to question what else a whiskey can become, if anything other than what it already is.
Before diving into this head-to-head tasting, I'd like to extend my sincere thanks to Two Souls Spirits for providing review sample bottles. This was sent to me with no expectations or editorial input, and, as always, the thoughts that follow are entirely my own. With that said, let's pour a dram, and then another, and see what a rum-finished bourbon and rye have to say.
Two Souls Spirits Rum-Finished Bourbon Review
Company on Label: Two Souls Spirits featuring J. Henry & Sons
Whiskey Type: Straight bourbon whiskey finished in a rum cask
Mash Bill Percentages: 64% red corn, 14% wheat, 14% rye, 8% malted barley
Proof: 115.32° (57.66%)
Age: 7 years
MSRP: $89.99
Further Identification: Finished for two years in a rare Queen’s Share rum cask from Echo Spirits Distilling, this is the first-ever rum-cask finished bourbon from J. Henry & Sons
Nose: A very approachable nose leads with sweet peanut brittle and whiffs of recently toasted bread, complete with a pad of butter melting across the top. The peanut note is particularly lovely, and unlike the peanut I find in more popular distillates, this one has carnival vibes. Think a wax-paper bag filled with roasted peanuts, sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar, with the scent of fried dough drifting through the air. It leans toward toffee, but meatier, if that’s possible. Diving deeper, tropical notes begin to emerge: pineapple slices, cherry syrup, and fresh peaches. A good swirl releases more of the barrel-aging influence, offering another sweet, brown-sugar treat.
Returning to the nose after a few sips, everything feels a bit brighter, with the tropical fruit singing loud enough that I might need to grab my sunglasses. I’m also beginning to pick up a wood funk that makes this stand out as craft whiskey in a good and respectable way. There’s a savory quality to it, too, specifically something reminiscent of the oregano leaves you might have found forgotten in the back of your mom’s spice cabinet years ago. Black pepper joins the party, too, as the liquid is nearly gone. The empty glass smells of cornbread crust, root beer foam, and peach-flavored tea leaves.
Palate: The first sip is a whole bunch of flavors all at once. A flash of sweet candied peanut hits first, then a slight chewiness takes over my taste buds, followed by brown sugar, dried pineapple, and dried cherry chunks. Chewing the liquid brings out a few butterscotch nibs, too. The whole thing reminds me of a trail mix you might find at a local farmers market. Additional sips tame the initial heat that exploded across my tongue, layering in darker brown sugar, almost like the sweet dredges left at the bottom of a pie dish, along with warm homemade cornbread topped with honey butter. This pour keeps improving with each sip, becoming silkier across my tongue as the oak spice settles into something resembling a cozy leather couch, giving the more delicate fruit tones room to shine. As I take my final sips, I can’t help but think about how incredibly relatable a pour can be. Sometimes it comes out excited and maybe a little anxious at first, before eventually settling into something deeper, calmer, and far more complex with a little time.
TL;DR: A lively, slightly unruly pour that settles into something deeply captivating
Rating: 4/5
Two Souls Spirits Rum-Finished Rye Review
Company on Label: Two Souls Spirits featuring J. Henry & Sons
Whiskey Type: Straight rye whiskey finished in a rum cask
Mash Bill Percentages: 64% rye, 14% wheat, 14% corn, 8% malted barley
Proof: 124.58° (62.29%)
Age: 7 years
MSRP: $89.99
Further Identification: Finished in Two Soul Spirits Rum King barrel: this is the first-ever rum-cask finished rye from J. Henry & Sons
Nose: Notes of earth and clay spring from the glass, followed closely by pine needles, lemon rind, and a sweet whiff of baking spices—cinnamon, clove, and just a hint of anise. Floral esters waft in and out, fleeting in their appearance but adding a lovely layer of complexity. A swirl of the glass releases tropical fruits, green apple Jolly Ranchers, and heavily grilled peaches, their natural sugars caramelizing under the heat. I think it’s about time to sip.
Returning to the nose after a few sips, the fruit has taken the lead, balancing beautifully with cinnamon and allspice. As the liquid dwindles, I’d be remiss not to mention the barrel funk that has woven its way in and out of my nostrils. It’s an aroma I can only describe as roller skating indoors: smooth in movement and motion, but requiring a certain amount of skill to appreciate—and to get right. With the glass nearly empty, that funk remains, mingling with the lingering fruit and spice and leaving behind one final reminder that this is not your everyday rye.
Palate: What a robust, silky, flavor-forward, tongue-soaking, all-encompassing first sip. Let me take a second and try to tease out what I’m tasting here. I find velvety vanilla, lemon hard candies, and table sugar dusted with cinnamon, all layered over a lemon poppy seed muffin and paired with a frothy oat milk latte. Additional sips take me straight to apple pie land, complete with a generous scoop of vanilla bean ice cream. This whiskey wears its proof well and lingers long after you’ve swallowed. I can easily see this becoming a fall football favorite as the months cool down, the leaves change color, and the world becomes richer in every way for a brief moment.
As I work my way toward the bottom of the glass, the flavors shift into earthier territory: dried dirt, damp oak, warming cinnamon spice, and toasted rye bread. Then, with a few more sips, the tropical fruit returns in earnest, eager to catch up with everything that came before it. This pour is cohesive and surprising at the same time. My final sip is silk across my tongue, ending in a crescendo of flavor that feels like a rye lover’s rye.
TL;DR: A silky, bold profile made just right for rye lovers
Rating: 4/5
Finished whiskey can come with mixed reactions, often polarizing drinkers to one end of the spectrum or the other: love it or hate it. These two expressions left me with one prominent thought: Don’t write off finished whiskey just yet! I think craft whiskey, in particular, has a knack for taking on finishing barrels, perhaps because smaller distilleries are well-tuned to a challenge and aren’t afraid to take a risk a little further down the road. Either way, I’m here for it! So, take what you want and leave the rest. I’ll be over here enjoying my dram.
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