Tincup American Whiskey 750ML

Tincup American Whiskey 750ML is a high-rye blended American whiskey bottled at 42% ABV (84 proof) in a distinctive tin-capped 750ml bottle. It earned a Gold Medal at the 2021 World Whiskies Awards and a 90-point score from Wine Enthusiast, distinguishing itself through an unusual production approach: Indiana-distilled high-rye bourbon married with a small measure of Colorado single malt whiskey, then proofed with Rocky Mountain water.

Quick Facts: ABV: 42% (84 Proof)  |  Origin: Indiana & Colorado, USA  |  Aged 4–5 Years  |  Distilled at MGP (Indiana), blended with Stranahan's single malt (Colorado)

Production & Heritage

Tincup was created by Jess Graber, the same distiller who founded Stranahan's, Colorado's first legal distillery since Prohibition. The base spirit is distilled at MGP in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, from a mashbill of 64% corn, 32% rye, and 4% malted barley — a distinctly rye-forward grain bill. After aging four to five years in #3 charred American oak barrels, that bourbon is blended with a small amount of Stranahan's Colorado single malt whiskey and cut with Rocky Mountain water. The single malt component, while minor in proportion, shifts the flavor profile away from what a straight MGP bourbon would typically deliver, adding subtle malt character and a smoother texture to the final blend.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Caramel leads immediately, followed by a wave of cinnamon-laced rye spice and a faint green apple note. Underneath, light touches of dill and toasted oak emerge as the whiskey opens in the glass.

Taste: The entry is soft and malty, giving way to a mid-palate that wakes up with cinnamon, vanilla, and maple sweetness. As the rye asserts itself, a pleasant citrus zest appears alongside toasted oak, keeping the sweetness in check. The balance between mellow spice and underlying vanilla holds throughout.

Finish: Clean and moderate in length, with gentle warmth and lingering echoes of oak and baking spice. It fades without bitterness, reinforcing the whiskey's approachable character.

How to Drink Tincup

At 84 proof, Tincup drinks easily neat or over a single large ice cube, where the cold draws out additional sweetness and softens the rye edge. Its versatile flavor profile also makes it a reliable cocktail base. A Whiskey Sour benefits from the caramel-citrus interplay already present in the spirit. A Manhattan works well because the high rye content stands up to sweet vermouth without losing definition. And an Old Fashioned lets the cinnamon and vanilla backbone shine through with just a touch of sugar and bitters.

Best For

• Introducing a rye-leaning whiskey to someone exploring beyond standard bourbons
• Building a versatile home bar without a premium price commitment
• Casual evening sipping after a day outdoors — the brand's Colorado spirit runs deep
• Gifting a whiskey drinker who appreciates unusual blending approaches

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Tincup taste like? Tincup leads with caramel and cinnamon spice, transitions through vanilla and maple sweetness at mid-palate, and finishes with clean toasted oak warmth. The high-rye mashbill gives it more spice than a typical corn-forward bourbon, while the Colorado single malt addition adds a subtle malty smoothness.

How does Tincup compare to Bulleit Bourbon? Both source their base whiskey from MGP in Indiana and share a rye-heavy grain profile, making them natural comparisons. Tincup's blending with Stranahan's single malt and Rocky Mountain water gives it a slightly softer, maltier character, whereas Bulleit tends to present a drier, more overtly spicy profile at a similar proof point.

Is Tincup good for cocktails? Tincup is an excellent cocktail whiskey — the 84-proof strength provides enough backbone for mixed drinks without overwhelming other ingredients, and the rye-driven spice cuts cleanly through citrus, sweetener, and vermouth.

Where is Tincup made? The bourbon component is distilled at the MGP distillery in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, while the single malt portion comes from Stranahan's distillery in Denver, Colorado. The final blending and proofing with Rocky Mountain water ties the product to its Colorado identity.

What foods pair well with Tincup? Smoked brisket or pulled pork complements the oak and caramel notes. Apple pie or apple crisp mirrors the green apple and cinnamon already present in the whiskey. Sharp cheddar cheese plays against the sweetness effectively. Grilled stone fruit like peaches highlights the vanilla and maple character. Dark chocolate with a high cacao percentage pairs well with the rye spice on the finish.

What sizes does Tincup come in? Tincup American Whiskey is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle, and can also be found in 375ml and 1L formats depending on the market.

Is Tincup worth the price? Tincup positions as a value-tier American whiskey, and Whisky Advocate has recognized the brand's high-rye expression with a "Best Value" designation. For a whiskey that scored 90 points from Wine Enthusiast and took Gold at the World Whiskies Awards, it sits at an accessible price point relative to its quality and blending complexity.

Why Tincup?

What separates Tincup from the crowded field of MGP-sourced whiskeys is the deliberate addition of Colorado single malt — a step no other major brand in this price range takes. That blending choice, rooted in founder Jess Graber's deep connection to both Stranahan's and the broader Colorado distilling scene, produces a whiskey that genuinely tastes different from what the high-rye MGP mashbill yields on its own. A Gold Medal at the 2021 World Whiskies Awards and a 90-point Wine Enthusiast score confirm it punches above its weight class. For drinkers who want rye spice, malt depth, and cocktail versatility in a single bottle, Tincup delivers without pretension or a premium markup.