Ten Runner Small Batch Bourbon 750ML

Ten Runner Small Batch Bourbon 750ML is a Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey bottled at 51.5% ABV (103 proof) in a 750ml format. Founded by NASCAR Cup Series Champion Ryan Blaney, the Ten Runner brand draws a direct line between Prohibition-era whiskey runners and the origins of American stock car racing, making it one of the more genuinely story-driven bourbons to hit shelves in recent years.

Quick Facts: ABV: 51.5% (103 Proof)  |  Origin: Kentucky, USA  |  Style: Small Batch, No Age Statement  |  Bottled by: The Blending House, Shelbyville, KY

Production & Heritage

Ten Runner Small Batch is a curated blend of sourced Kentucky straight bourbons, selected and assembled by Master Blender Ashley Barnes at The Blending House in Shelbyville, Kentucky. The Blending House is a 30,000 square foot facility operated by The Spirits Group and The Koetter Group. While no official age statement appears on the label, the blend reportedly averages more than 6 years of aging. As required by the Kentucky Straight Bourbon designation, all component whiskeys were aged a minimum of two years in new charred oak barrels. The brand name itself references both Blaney's No. 10 race car and his family's three-generation connection to the bootleggers who helped give rise to early NASCAR.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Dried apricot and ripe peach lead the way, followed by warm cinnamon, clove, and layered baking spices. There is a sweetness here that reads more like orchard fruit than caramel.

Taste: The entry is full-bodied and palate-coating, opening with a spiced fruit compote character: apple, fig, cinnamon, and clove. Mid-palate, honey and darker notes emerge, with some reviewers picking up roasted cacao nibs and buckwheat honey. Cracked black pepper builds steadily, adding a lively warmth that keeps the sweetness in check.

Finish: Warm and lingering, driven by black pepper and rye spice. Toffee and dark chocolate notes surface as it fades, with cinnamon carrying through to the end.

How to Drink Ten Runner Small Batch

At 103 proof, this bourbon has enough backbone to hold up neat but also rewards a few drops of water, which open up the stone fruit and honey notes. On the rocks, it stays expressive without thinning out too quickly. In cocktails, the high proof and spice-forward profile make it a strong candidate for an Old Fashioned, where the cinnamon and pepper play well against a sugar cube and orange peel. It also works in a Boulevardier, where its dark chocolate undertones complement sweet vermouth and Campari. For something simpler, a Kentucky Mule lets the ginger and rye spice amplify each other.

Best For

• Bourbon drinkers who prefer higher-proof, spice-forward whiskeys
• Gifting a NASCAR fan or motorsport enthusiast who also appreciates good whiskey
• Building a home bar anchored by versatile, cocktail-ready bourbons
• Tasting alongside other Kentucky straight bourbons in a comparative flight

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Ten Runner Small Batch taste like? It leads with warm stone fruit and baking spices, moves into honey, dark chocolate, and cacao, and finishes with persistent black pepper and rye spice. The mouthfeel is full-bodied and coating, with enough heat from the 103 proof to keep things lively.

Is Ten Runner Small Batch good for sipping neat? Yes. The 103 proof delivers intensity without being harsh, and the layered spice and fruit notes reward slow sipping. A splash of water can help coax out additional sweetness if the proof runs hot for your palate.

Where is Ten Runner Small Batch made? Ten Runner Small Batch is blended and bottled at The Blending House in Shelbyville, Kentucky. The component bourbons are sourced from undisclosed Kentucky distilleries and selected by Master Blender Ashley Barnes.

What foods pair well with Ten Runner Small Batch? Smoked pork ribs complement the bourbon's pepper and spice. Dark chocolate truffles echo the cacao and toffee notes on the finish. Aged cheddar or Gouda match well with the honey sweetness. Pecan pie mirrors the warm baking spice character, and a charcuterie board with dried figs ties into the fruit compote flavors on the palate.

What sizes does Ten Runner Small Batch come in? The standard release is available in a 750ml bottle.

Is Ten Runner Small Batch worth the price? Ten Runner positions itself in the mid-premium bourbon tier. At 103 proof with a blend averaging over six years of age, it delivers solid intensity and complexity for its price class. The sourced-and-blended approach means you are paying for Ashley Barnes's palate and selection rather than a single distillery's house style, which can be a strength in terms of flavor balance.

Why Ten Runner Small Batch?

What separates Ten Runner from the growing crowd of celebrity-backed spirits is that the liquid actually stands on its own. The 103-proof bottling strength gives it enough muscle to work in cocktails while still rewarding careful neat pours. The blend, averaging more than six years in barrel and assembled by a dedicated master blender rather than a marketing team, lands in a sweet spot between approachable and complex. For bourbon drinkers who care about what is in the glass more than who is on the label, Ten Runner Small Batch makes a credible case for itself.