Review: Two Souls x J. Henry and Sons The Hero Rum Cask Bourbon and The Genius Rum Cask Rye
Two Souls Spirits is an independent bottler best known for its focus on American whiskey, though the company has also released single-cask rum and honey spirit selections. Over the years, Two Souls has partnered with numerous American distilleries to produce transparent single-cask releases. Yet time and again, the bottler has returned to whiskey distilled by J. Henry & Sons in Dane, Wisconsin.
In May 2026, Two Souls unveiled a bourbon and rye whiskey inspired by the beloved 1987 film The Princess Bride. Both matured for at least seven years, with the bourbon bearing the nickname “The Hero” and the rye released as “The Genius.” While another collaboration featuring whiskey distilled by J. Henry & Sons would already be noteworthy, these releases introduce something entirely new. The Hero and The Genius mark the first whiskeys distilled by J. Henry & Sons to receive a rum cask finish.
Rum cask finishing has become increasingly common throughout the American whiskey market. Even so, details regarding the rum casks used for secondary maturation are often limited. At best, consumers may be told the country where the rum originated. Beyond that, information is frequently scarce or unavailable altogether.
In keeping with its commitment to transparency, Two Souls Spirits provides considerably more detail. The brand not only identifies the distillery of origin for the rum casks, but also discloses that both casks were originally coopered by Independent Stave Company and featured a medium toast alongside a #3 char.
Rather than sourcing anonymous rum casks from outside the continental United States, Two Souls took a different route. The company procured rum casks from mainland American distilleries, departing from the more common practice of utilizing casks that previously held rum produced in tropical regions.
The Hero and The Genius represent significant firsts for whiskey distilled by J. Henry & Sons, made possible through the use of these unusual rum casks. Do these two offerings make a splash that could encourage J. Henry & Sons to release rum cask-finished whiskey under its own label? Let’s find out!
Two Souls x J. Henry & Sons Rum Cask Rye Finish 7 Years Old “The Genius” Review
Two Souls Spirits labels The Genius as Barrel No. JH3, while J. Henry catalogued it as Barrel #1325R. The mashbill consists of 64% rye, 14% wheat, 14% corn, and 8% malted barley. In total, the whiskey spent 7 years, 4 months, and 16 days in oak, including secondary maturation.
The finishing cask has an interesting history of its own. Before receiving The Genius, it held Two Souls’ Rum King, a 2023 release of Yahara Bay’s Wisconsin-distilled HAZMAT rum. That rum matured for 6.75 years before spending an additional 13 months in a rye whiskey barrel. As a result, the cask used for The Genius first held rye whiskey, then Rum King, before returning to rye once again.
Cherry pits and wintergreen arrive immediately on the nose. The wintergreen remains front and center throughout, though toasted pistachios gradually work their way into the glass. Given enough time, cream soda joins the mix and rounds out the aromatic profile. There is no mistaking the style here. This is an energetic rye from the first encounter.
The palate opens with green Jolly Ranchers, followed by spearmint and lime zest. Those brighter notes dominate the early going before clove barrels onto the mid-palate with considerable force. That spice-driven momentum continues into the finish, where gingerbread enters the picture alongside an unexpected fresh-cut celery note. Cardamom follows, adding another dimension before the whiskey concludes with a potent sour green apple candy note reminiscent of a Warhead, delivering a mouth-puckering finale.
For drinkers who gravitate toward rye, The Genius has plenty to offer. The combination of mint, citrus, baking spice, and cooling herbal elements creates a profile that remains focused from beginning to end. Having tasted what is likely every spirit released by Two Souls Spirits to date, this stands as one of the strongest examples of the company’s blending and finishing work, and it is arguably my favorite release from the brand. 124.58 proof. A- / $90
Two Souls x J. Henry & Sons Rum Cask Finished Bourbon 7 Years Old “The Hero” Review
The Hero is labeled by Two Souls Spirits as Barrel No. JH4 and catalogued by J. Henry as Barrel #1373. The bourbon was produced from a mashbill of 64% red corn, 14% wheat, 14% rye, and 8% malted barley. The red corn variety traces its roots to Joe Henry’s family farm, where it was grown by his father during the 1940s through the 1960s.
The bourbon spent 7 years, 3 months, and 1 day maturing in barrels, including more than two years in a Queen’s Share Rum cask from Echo Spirits in Columbus, Ohio. The rum originated from Batch 3, released in 2023, and was distilled from a wash composed of 50% cane sugar and 50% molasses, with the molasses sourced from Lula Westfield in Louisiana.
Echo Spirits’ approach to Queen’s Share distillation centers on collecting rum tails, generally ranging from around 140 proof down to 20 proof, and redistilling them. The resulting spirit is collected again at roughly 160 proof before entering the barrel at approximately 115 to 120 proof. The concept is based on the belief that rum tails contain desirable oils and esters. By retaining those compounds and allowing them additional contact time, they bind more effectively with ethanol, increasing the likelihood that they will be captured cleanly during redistillation and contributing greater concentration to the final spirit. Before holding Queen’s Share Rum, the finishing cask had previously aged bourbon distilled by Watershed, another Columbus distillery.
Fresh kettle corn and salted caramel lead the nose, with the salt component taking a prominent role. As the bourbon spends time in the glass, dense fruitcake develops before giving way to dusty barn wood. Much later, mashed overripe bananas arrive, bringing a funky quality that edges toward fermentation.
Apple butter opens the palate alongside honey-baked ham crust. From there, saffron and coconut macaroons take over the mid-palate, supported by a medium-bodied mouthfeel. The finish introduces honey-roasted peanuts, followed by Corn Flakes and, eventually, pancakes without maple syrup. A touch of candied ginger appears near the end and remains present through the final moments.
This is an enjoyable bourbon from a distillery that deserves considerably more attention than it currently receives. Two Souls Spirits has previously bottled similarly aged J. Henry & Sons bourbon that showcased more oak influence and a more assertive funky component. Here, the profile takes a different path, emphasizing approachability and drinkability without sacrificing individuality. While the rye whiskey remains the standout of the pair for my palate, this is the best bourbon I have encountered from J. Henry & Sons thus far. 115.32 proof. A- / $90
Two Souls x J. Henry & Sons Rum Cask Rye Finish 7 Years Old "The Genius"
USD90
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