Thresh & Winnow 10 Year Rye 750ML

Thresh & Winnow 10 Year Rye 750ML is a 100-proof (50% ABV), single-cask American rye whiskey made from 100% organic rye and aged for a full decade. This expression earned a Gold medal and 92 points from the Beverage Testing Institute in 2024, and a Gold Medal at the 2024 Whiskies of the World competition — strong recognition for a craft rye in an increasingly competitive aged category.

Quick Facts: ABV: 50% (100 proof)  |  Origin: Chicago, Illinois, USA  |  10 Year Age Statement  |  Distillery: Lion's Pride Spirits (Koval)

Production & Heritage

Lion's Pride Spirits operates under Koval Distillery, founded in 2008 by Robert and Sonat Birnecker in Chicago, Illinois — the first distillery to open in the city since the mid-1800s. The 10 Year Rye uses a 100% organic rye mashbill and matures for a full decade in individual casks before being bottled at barrel proof of 100 proof. A defining production choice is the exclusive use of the "heart cut" of the distillate — only the finest middle portion of the distillation run is collected, with heads and tails discarded entirely, yielding an unusually clean and focused spirit that allows a decade of oak aging to shine without off-notes.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Dry oak and long-stemmed grasses open the nose, layered with chewy rye grain and freshly cracked black pepper. Deeper exploration reveals brown sugar, thick white sugar frosting, and a streak of fresh pine needle.

Taste: The entry is rich and creamy, led by vanilla custard and crème brûlée that coat the palate immediately. Mid-palate, that white sugar frosting thickens into a silky, velvety texture with hints of dark chocolate, dried apricot, and caramel corn. The mouthfeel is notably full-bodied for a 100% rye, with sweetness and spice in constant dialogue.

Finish: Lingering and warm, the emphasis shifts back to drier rye grain and spice while retaining sticky white sugar frosting and cream. Delicate cinnamon and oak undertones carry through steadily, supported by the 100-proof warmth that never turns harsh.

How to Drink Thresh & Winnow 10 Year Rye

At 100 proof, this rye rewards neat sipping first — pour it, let it breathe for a few minutes, and explore the progression from sweet custard to dry rye spice. A few drops of water open up the vanilla and crème brûlée further without thinning the body. For cocktails, try a Sazerac, where the rye spice and oak depth stand up confidently to absinthe and Peychaud's bitters; a Manhattan, where the creamy vanilla and dark chocolate complement sweet vermouth with unusual richness; or a Vieux Carré, where the 10-year maturity and 100-proof backbone hold their own alongside Cognac and herbal liqueur.

Best For

• Gifting a whiskey enthusiast who values aged, single-cask expressions
• Building a collection of American craft rye whiskeys with serious age statements
• Hosting a side-by-side tasting flight of 10-year-old rye whiskeys
• Marking a milestone occasion with a bottle that took a decade to mature

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Thresh & Winnow 10 Year Rye taste like? The dominant profile is rich vanilla custard and crème brûlée balanced by freshly cracked black pepper, dry oak, and rye grain spice. A velvety texture and hints of dark chocolate and dried apricot round out a whiskey that is simultaneously sweet, spicy, and creamy.

How does Thresh & Winnow 10 Year Rye compare to WhistlePig 10 Year? Both are 100% rye, 100 proof, and carry 10-year age statements, but they come from distinctly different production philosophies. WhistlePig 10 Year is sourced from Alberta, Canada and estate-aged in Vermont, while Thresh & Winnow is distilled and aged by Koval in Chicago using only the heart cut of the distillation run and 100% organic grain.

Is Thresh & Winnow 10 Year Rye good for sipping neat? Absolutely — the decade of oak aging and hearts-only distillation produce a remarkably smooth, layered spirit at 100 proof that reveals new details with each sip. A splash of water is optional but not necessary for most palates.

Where is Thresh & Winnow 10 Year Rye made? It is distilled and aged at Lion's Pride Spirits, the production entity of Koval Distillery, located in Chicago, Illinois. Koval was founded in 2008 and was the first distillery to operate in Chicago since the mid-1800s.

What foods pair well with Thresh & Winnow 10 Year Rye? Dark chocolate truffles echo the whiskey's cocoa undertones; aged cheddar or Gruyère stands up to the rye spice; smoked brisket complements the oak and pepper notes; crème brûlée mirrors the custard-forward palate; and dried stone fruits like apricots amplify the whiskey's own dried fruit character.

What sizes does Thresh & Winnow 10 Year Rye come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle, which is the primary size currently available for this expression.

Is Thresh & Winnow 10 Year Rye worth the price? This expression positions squarely in the premium tier for American rye whiskey, justified by its 10-year single-cask aging, 100% organic mashbill, hearts-only distillation, and multiple gold medals from recognized competitions including the Beverage Testing Institute (92 points).

Why Thresh & Winnow 10 Year Rye?

Ten-year-old rye whiskeys from American craft distilleries remain genuinely uncommon — most craft operations have not been open long enough to release spirit at this age, and those that have rarely bottle single casks at full 100 proof. The hearts-only distillation practiced by Lion's Pride Spirits sacrifices volume for purity, producing a cleaner canvas onto which a decade of oak maturation can layer complexity without masking the grain character. Back-to-back Gold medals in 2024 from both the Beverage Testing Institute and Whiskies of the World validate that the approach works. For drinkers seeking a domestic rye with genuine age, organic sourcing, and single-cask individuality, this bottle fills a gap that very few American producers can claim.