Tincup 10 Year 750ML

Tincup 10 Year 750ML is a 10-year-aged American whiskey blending bourbon and single malt at 42% ABV (84 proof) in a 750ml bottle. This expression earned a Double Gold medal at the 2023 New York World Spirits Competition, along with Gold medals at both the 2024 International Spirits Challenge and the 2023 American Whiskey Masters.

Quick Facts: ABV: 42% (84 Proof)  |  Origin: Indiana (Distilled) / Colorado (Bottled)  |  10 Year Age Statement  |  Distillery: MGP (Distillation), Bottled in Colorado

Production & Heritage

Tincup 10 Year is distilled at the MGP facility in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, then transported to Colorado where it is cut with Rocky Mountain water and bottled at an elevation of 5,251 feet. The liquid is a blend of two distinct whiskeys: a bourbon with a high-rye mashbill of 64% corn, 32% rye, and 4% malted barley, and a single malt whiskey made from 100% malted barley. Both components mature for a minimum of ten years in white American oak barrels with a #3 char, yielding substantial wood influence without overwhelming the grain character. This high-altitude bottling with mountain water is central to what the brand calls a "classic American mountain whiskey," distinguishing it from other MGP-sourced expressions on the market.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with aged oak and vanilla, gradually revealing layers of cinnamon, pine resin, and honeyed orange. Underneath, fresh leather and light baking spice emerge as the whiskey breathes.

Taste: The entry is creamy and moderately sweet, with caramel chews and vanilla settling across the mid-palate. Rye spice and sweet pepper build steadily, joined by dried fruit notes reminiscent of raisins and a subtle herbal quality. The bourbon and single malt components create an interesting interplay between grainy sweetness and malty depth.

Finish: Medium in length, the finish lands on caramel, toasted biscuit, and a thread of rye spice laced with black pepper and sweet tobacco. Oak tannins provide gentle structure without becoming drying.

How to Drink Tincup 10 Year

Neat or with a single ice cube allows the decade of oak aging and the bourbon-single malt blend to express fully. A few drops of water can open up the floral and herbal nuances noted by critics. For cocktails, the 10 Year works well in an Old Fashioned, where its caramel sweetness and rye spice stand up to bitters and sugar; a Manhattan, where the malty backbone complements sweet vermouth without getting lost; and a Boulevardier, where the oak structure and vanilla notes hold their ground against Campari's bitterness.

Best For

• Gifting a whiskey enthusiast who appreciates age-stated American whiskey with proven competition credentials
• Side-by-side tastings comparing bourbon-malt blends against traditional straight bourbons
• Stocking a home bar with a versatile, award-winning 10-year whiskey for both sipping and mixing
• Introducing someone to aged American whiskey at a moderate 84 proof that prioritizes balance over intensity

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Tincup 10 Year taste like? Tincup 10 Year delivers creamy caramel and vanilla up front, building into rye spice, dried fruit, and leather, with a biscuit-like finish. The blend of bourbon and single malt gives it a malty depth not typically found in standard bourbon.

How does Tincup 10 Year compare to Russell's Reserve 10 Year Bourbon? Both carry 10-year age statements, but Russell's Reserve is a straight bourbon distilled at Wild Turkey, while Tincup blends MGP-sourced bourbon with single malt whiskey and adds Rocky Mountain water. Breaking Bourbon has noted that Tincup 10 Year punches above similarly priced 10-year whiskeys like Basil Hayden's 10 Year but falls short of Russell's Reserve 10 Year in overall depth.

Is Tincup 10 Year good for sipping neat? Yes — at 84 proof, it is approachable and balanced enough for neat sipping, with enough oak complexity from its decade of aging to reward slow, deliberate tasting.

Where is Tincup 10 Year made? The whiskey is distilled at the MGP distillery in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, then shipped to Colorado, where it is cut with Rocky Mountain water and bottled at 5,251 feet elevation.

What foods pair well with Tincup 10 Year? Smoked brisket or pulled pork, where the oak and rye spice mirror smoke and char; dark chocolate truffles, which echo the whiskey's caramel and malty notes; sharp aged cheddar, whose tang contrasts the vanilla sweetness; pecan pie, reinforcing the toasted and caramel qualities; and grilled stone fruit like peaches, which highlight the honeyed aspects of the nose.

What sizes does Tincup 10 Year come in? Tincup 10 Year is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle.

Is Tincup 10 Year worth the price? Tincup 10 Year positions as a mid-range aged American whiskey, and its Double Gold and multiple Gold medals suggest strong value for a 10-year age-stated expression in its price tier.

Why Tincup 10 Year?

The Double Gold at the 2023 New York World Spirits Competition, Gold at the 2024 International Spirits Challenge, and Gold at the 2023 American Whiskey Masters collectively validate this as a serious age-stated whiskey. Its unusual construction — blending a high-rye bourbon with a 100% malted barley single malt — creates a flavor profile that stands apart from single-mashbill competitors. The Rocky Mountain water finish and high-altitude bottling in Colorado add a genuine point of distinction among MGP-sourced releases. For drinkers seeking a balanced, oak-driven American whiskey with a transparent 10-year age statement and competition pedigree, this expression delivers measurable substance behind its mountain identity.