TINCUP American Whiskey is the flagship release from Colorado's TINCUP Whiskey Company, founded by Stranahan's co founder Jess Graber. The whiskey is built on a high rye MGP Indiana bourbon mash bill of 64% corn, 32% rye, and 4% malted barley, aged four to five years in new char number three American oak barrels. A small splash of Stranahan's Colorado American single malt is then blended in, and the finished spirit is cut to bottling strength with Rocky Mountain water from the Elk Mountains near Crested Butte before being bottled at TINCUP's Denver facility. Although TINCUP technically meets the federal standard of identity for straight bourbon whiskey, Graber chose to label it American Whiskey to differentiate the brand from traditional Kentucky bourbon and to honor its Colorado finishing identity. The result is a bolder, spicier whiskey than most 84 proof pours, named after the old gold mining town of Tin Cup, Colorado where prospectors once drank their whiskey from the metal cups they carried, hence the brand's signature tin cup cap that doubles as a shot vessel.
ABV / Proof
| Brand |
TINCUP Whiskey Company |
| Founder |
Jess Graber |
| Distilled |
Lawrenceburg, Indiana (MGP) |
| Blended & Bottled |
Denver, Colorado |
| Type |
American Whiskey — Blended (high rye bourbon + single malt) |
| Mash Bill |
64% Corn, 32% Rye, 4% Malted Barley (plus splash of Stranahan's single malt) |
| Maturation |
4 to 5 years in new char #3 American oak |
| Water Source |
Cut with Rocky Mountain water |
| ABV |
42% |
| Proof |
84 Proof |
| Bottle Size |
750ml |
| Country |
United States |
| Region |
Colorado (finished), Indiana (distilled) |
| Packaging |
Six sided embossed bottle with tin cup cap |
Tasting Notes
Color: Light to medium amber with warm honey highlights.
Nose: Light vanilla and maple syrup up front, with a touch of caramel, baking spice, and a faint orange peel lift. The high rye component adds gentle spice on the back of the nose.
Palate: Smooth and approachable with traditional bourbon notes of vanilla and oak, complemented by wisps of malt from the Stranahan's component. Light bodied with sweet corn, soft rye spice, and a hint of cinnamon.
Finish: Medium short with smooth caramel, light wood, and a final whisper of rye spice. Clean and easy drinking.
FAQ
Is TINCUP a bourbon?
Technically yes. TINCUP meets the federal standard of identity for straight bourbon whiskey based on its mash bill and aging requirements. However, founder Jess Graber chose to label it American Whiskey to differentiate the brand from traditional Kentucky bourbons and to highlight its unique Colorado blending and finishing process, which includes a splash of Stranahan's Colorado single malt.
Where is TINCUP made?
The base bourbon is distilled and aged at MGP Indiana in Lawrenceburg, then shipped to Colorado where Stranahan's single malt is blended in and the whiskey is cut with Rocky Mountain water before bottling at the Denver facility. The brand is named after the historic Colorado gold mining town of Tin Cup, hence the iconic tin cup cap that miners used as drinking vessels.
What does the tin cup on the bottle do?
The metal cap doubles as a functional shot glass, just like the tin cups that Colorado gold miners carried and drank whiskey from in the 1800s. Pop the cap, pour the whiskey, and you have a built in serving vessel that pays tribute to the brand's namesake mining town.
Where can I buy TINCUP American Whiskey online?
Available here at Liquor On Broadway while stock lasts, with fast insured shipping nationwide.
