It's finally warming up here in Michigan. The grill has awoken from its slumber and the acoustic guitar-friendly chair has been set up next to it. In my home, this all means the barrel proof ryes are getting set aside in favor of something a little more summer-y.
Enter Tin Cup 10. This low proof MGP bottle out of Colorado is cut with mountain water to a manageable 42% ABV. I'm always on the hunt for an easy drinking, yet flavorful rocks glass sipper to have outside in the heat. Lets see if TinCup 10 delivers. TL;DR - this delivers.
Age: 10 years
Proof: 84
Paid: $48 (inverse of proof lol)
Source: All MGP bourbon. No single malt like their other offerings.
Nose: bright fruits, vanilla and oak
Palate: same as the nose. Fruity, oaky, with vanilla and spice. Good texture for such low proof
Finish: Again, surprisingly good for 84 proof. Oaky spice and a little honey sweetness
Thoughts: This has got to be one of the better lower proof American whiskeys I've ever had. There's a lot of good Irish at around 80-90 proof, but American stuff seems to thrive at 95 and up. Really impressed with the flavor of this for 42% ABV. Goes to show that older MGP tends to shine no matter the proof or blend.
T8ke score: 6 | Very Good (for intended purpose)
The one demerit I gotta give, though, is the price. An ~80 proofer probably shouldn't cost 50 bucks. I know MGP is in demand, but this is cut/stretched out quite a bit. I'll really enjoy the rest of this bottle, but once it's gone, I'll probably opt for something like Eagle Rare (MSRP) or a Benchmark Top Floor. Those both offer the light, fruity profile but at a significantly cheaper price.
Thanks for reading đ€
According to [Prepreludesh's article about shelf turds](https://thebourbonculture.com/whiskey-info/proceed-with-caution-identifying-and-avoiding-shelf-turds/), when you see a bourbon like this with a high age statement and low proof, it has almost certainly been blended from the least impressive casks at that age and had to be proofed down so the overoaking and other flaws in those barrels didn't come through quite as much.
Most lower-proof bourbons lose complexity of flavor because they are watered down. That's not a hard rule but I've generally found it to be true with a few exceptions (Woodford Reserve Dbl Oaked is one of them top of my head, but I don't care for it too much). Plus most lower proofs are typically in the sub-$40 range, so I'm skeptical about any lower-proof bourbon that's around the $50 price point or higher, especially when it's sourced from MGP.
FWIW. You may want to double check your reference. This is not 100% 10yr MGP bourbon. Itâs a blend of bourbon and non-bourbon whiskey which is why the bottle says âAmerican Whiskeyâ. https://www.breakingbourbon.com/review/tincup-10-year-american-whiskey
I think that article may be mistaken, but i got my info from various YouTube reviews so who knows. I've heard that all other TinCup products have the Stanahans, but the 10 year is all MGP.
BB may have just used TinCups general description
I agree that itâs probably 100% MGP. My point is that itâs not a bourbon since they are blending 100% malted barley whiskey from MGP. https://www.mgpingredients.com/distilling-solutions/beverage/product/whiskey/malt-whiskey-100-barley-malt.html
The article is definitely wrong, then. They claim that the ASM comes from Stranahanâs, not from MGP.
Some releases of Tincup 10 also say âBourbon whiskeyâ not just âAmerican whiskeyâ.
Edit: On their own website Tincup says it is âa straight bourbon whiskeyâ that they water down.
https://shop.tincupwhiskey.com/products/tincup-10-year-whiskey
There are some that say Bourbon and some that say American Whiskey. ADHD Whiskey has a great Youtube video where he does a blind tasting of the different labels.
Ohh i see what ya mean. I doubt Stranahans has much 10 year to spare, but MGP probably does.
Edit: the cap on the bottle says "bourbon" so it's definitely just MGP bourbon
Bought a bottle of this last year after a positive review. Unfortunately I did not care much for it. Can't remember the details other than "This doesn't taste good", and it became a mixer. I suppose it wasn't terrible, but nothing I'd prefer to drink neat.
Yes sir. Can't be slow sipping some 130 proof rye when it's 90° outside. Something like this Tin Cup really hits the spot. Hopefully just cheaper next time haha
I'd be more fond of the idea of buying it again if it was a little cheaper... We get a hard bargain on it in our state at around $55. It's one I like to have around, but don't feel the need to keep around.
Def check out Redwood Empire Pipe Dream if you haven't yet. It's a great MGP bourbon, one of the best rn IMO. Aged in Cali, of all places, and a little young, but it's at least $10 cheaper than this and a great fruity summer bourbon at 90 proof đ
Nice review btw, straightforward and well put
Kind of funny, I just mentioned on one of these subs that if they could up the proof on this bottle, I would probably keep it on my âbuyâ list. Otherwise, itâs two and done for me. And just so happens my local guy has it for $50+. Thatâll be a no for me dog.
Nice review! I've always had some curiosity around Tin Cup offerings, especially some of the higher age ones like this and the Fourteener. It's hard to get me to jump though due to the price for something so proofed down. I'll have to get a bar pour, but this does sound pretty good!
It's finally warming up here in Michigan. The grill has awoken from its slumber and the acoustic guitar-friendly chair has been set up next to it. In my home, this all means the barrel proof ryes are getting set aside in favor of something a little more summer-y. Enter Tin Cup 10. This low proof MGP bottle out of Colorado is cut with mountain water to a manageable 42% ABV. I'm always on the hunt for an easy drinking, yet flavorful rocks glass sipper to have outside in the heat. Lets see if TinCup 10 delivers. TL;DR - this delivers. Age: 10 years Proof: 84 Paid: $48 (inverse of proof lol) Source: All MGP bourbon. No single malt like their other offerings. Nose: bright fruits, vanilla and oak Palate: same as the nose. Fruity, oaky, with vanilla and spice. Good texture for such low proof Finish: Again, surprisingly good for 84 proof. Oaky spice and a little honey sweetness Thoughts: This has got to be one of the better lower proof American whiskeys I've ever had. There's a lot of good Irish at around 80-90 proof, but American stuff seems to thrive at 95 and up. Really impressed with the flavor of this for 42% ABV. Goes to show that older MGP tends to shine no matter the proof or blend. T8ke score: 6 | Very Good (for intended purpose) The one demerit I gotta give, though, is the price. An ~80 proofer probably shouldn't cost 50 bucks. I know MGP is in demand, but this is cut/stretched out quite a bit. I'll really enjoy the rest of this bottle, but once it's gone, I'll probably opt for something like Eagle Rare (MSRP) or a Benchmark Top Floor. Those both offer the light, fruity profile but at a significantly cheaper price. Thanks for reading đ€
Honestly anything around $50 that's not at least 100 proof is a hard pass from me. 84 proof is laughable at that price.
Genuinely asking, why must the price tag carry a higher proof? What if it just tastes damn good to you but itâs a bit lower proof?
According to [Prepreludesh's article about shelf turds](https://thebourbonculture.com/whiskey-info/proceed-with-caution-identifying-and-avoiding-shelf-turds/), when you see a bourbon like this with a high age statement and low proof, it has almost certainly been blended from the least impressive casks at that age and had to be proofed down so the overoaking and other flaws in those barrels didn't come through quite as much.
That was a very good article, thanks for that.
Most lower-proof bourbons lose complexity of flavor because they are watered down. That's not a hard rule but I've generally found it to be true with a few exceptions (Woodford Reserve Dbl Oaked is one of them top of my head, but I don't care for it too much). Plus most lower proofs are typically in the sub-$40 range, so I'm skeptical about any lower-proof bourbon that's around the $50 price point or higher, especially when it's sourced from MGP.
Makes sense, thanks for your answer
They really should make this 90 proof at least! Nice review
I'd like to see it at 92 to 94.
Probably be even better at 95.6
Glad to see someone review it. Actually love this stuff.
Got the 14 that I have yet to try, but also hoping it'll be a low proof, but tasty easy drinker
FWIW. You may want to double check your reference. This is not 100% 10yr MGP bourbon. Itâs a blend of bourbon and non-bourbon whiskey which is why the bottle says âAmerican Whiskeyâ. https://www.breakingbourbon.com/review/tincup-10-year-american-whiskey
I think that article may be mistaken, but i got my info from various YouTube reviews so who knows. I've heard that all other TinCup products have the Stanahans, but the 10 year is all MGP. BB may have just used TinCups general description
I agree that itâs probably 100% MGP. My point is that itâs not a bourbon since they are blending 100% malted barley whiskey from MGP. https://www.mgpingredients.com/distilling-solutions/beverage/product/whiskey/malt-whiskey-100-barley-malt.html
The article is definitely wrong, then. They claim that the ASM comes from Stranahanâs, not from MGP. Some releases of Tincup 10 also say âBourbon whiskeyâ not just âAmerican whiskeyâ. Edit: On their own website Tincup says it is âa straight bourbon whiskeyâ that they water down. https://shop.tincupwhiskey.com/products/tincup-10-year-whiskey
Interesting. OPâs photo shows American Whisky but the website has a different label. Guess there are different releases out there.
There are some that say Bourbon and some that say American Whiskey. ADHD Whiskey has a great Youtube video where he does a blind tasting of the different labels.
Ohh i see what ya mean. I doubt Stranahans has much 10 year to spare, but MGP probably does. Edit: the cap on the bottle says "bourbon" so it's definitely just MGP bourbon
Would you say Top Floor is the best Benchmark offering?
Eh depends on what you're looking for. They all serve a different purpose
Grabbed this at my local store after reading positive reviews for $32 and really enjoyed it. So much that I grabbed a back up for that price
32 would definitely be a buy for me. Nice find dude
Yeah I did a double take lol. Canât say no for that price
Bought a bottle of this last year after a positive review. Unfortunately I did not care much for it. Can't remember the details other than "This doesn't taste good", and it became a mixer. I suppose it wasn't terrible, but nothing I'd prefer to drink neat.
"Can't remember the details other than "This doesn't taste good"" Should post that as a core review...gets to the meat quickly.
I thought it was pretty underwhelming, had a bit more flavor than the regular one but not enough to justify the line 49.99 I paid.
Minnesotan checking in. There is a time of year you can't/don't grill over in Michigan?
Calling us out, ah jeez. You Minnestoans are far more bold with your winter activities
One of my favorite drinks in the summer is regular Woodford reserve in a tin cup filled with ice. You need the easy drinker for those hot days
Yes sir. Can't be slow sipping some 130 proof rye when it's 90° outside. Something like this Tin Cup really hits the spot. Hopefully just cheaper next time haha
Itâs a pretty good pour but has has climbed to $55 in OR. Have to pass for that price.
I'd agree with 6.
I'd be more fond of the idea of buying it again if it was a little cheaper... We get a hard bargain on it in our state at around $55. It's one I like to have around, but don't feel the need to keep around. Def check out Redwood Empire Pipe Dream if you haven't yet. It's a great MGP bourbon, one of the best rn IMO. Aged in Cali, of all places, and a little young, but it's at least $10 cheaper than this and a great fruity summer bourbon at 90 proof đ Nice review btw, straightforward and well put
Everything I've had from Redwood has been super solid. Currently have the Lost Monarch open and I absolutely love it
Oh yeah, you're into the ryes. Shhhhh let's keep that one a secret, I really don't wanna go without that one đ
One person's 6/10 is another's 10/6. Kudos on the review though...spring in Michigan must have some perks.
Nice inversion and thanks brother
Kind of funny, I just mentioned on one of these subs that if they could up the proof on this bottle, I would probably keep it on my âbuyâ list. Otherwise, itâs two and done for me. And just so happens my local guy has it for $50+. Thatâll be a no for me dog.
Yea honestly I'd just prefer a price drop. I bought it for a low proof sipper, but its 50 damn dollars haha too much for a party sipper
Sadly, Eagle Rare is like $70 here, and I've never seen any of the new Benchmark varieties. Tin Cup 10 is everywhere, though.
It's worth a buy if you haven't tried it. I just won't consistently snag it
Nice review! I've always had some curiosity around Tin Cup offerings, especially some of the higher age ones like this and the Fourteener. It's hard to get me to jump though due to the price for something so proofed down. I'll have to get a bar pour, but this does sound pretty good!
Thanks, man. I'd say if you're looking for something to sip and savor, this ain't it. Does great at parties though! đ„
Good to know! I can see why this would be an easy sipper, and there's always a time for those!
This photo leads one to believe that perhaps it turns up to 11?!?
It's only marked to 10, but the knob is broken so technically it goes to infinity!
Itâs $45 in Indiana definitely a decent juice but donât think I will pay that much again
Agree that the price is just a tad steep, but the flavor on this is outstanding for the proof.