Welcome to another round (see what I did there?) of Whiskey You Can Drink, wherein I drink whiskey and tell you about it. Today’s entry is Tin Cup, an “American whiskey” that crosses the finish line at 84 proof. I paid about $27 for this bottle on sale, which is why you can drink it.
“American whiskey” seems to be one of those catch-all terms, sometimes used for whiskies that don’t want to, or can’t legally, call themselves bourbon. For example, my understanding of Michter’s American Whiskey is that, though the mash bill meets the standards, it is aged in second-use bourbon barrels and therefore can’t call itself “bourbon,” which has to be aged in new, charred oak. Tin Cup sources bourbon from Midwest Grain Products, a large distillery in Indiana, and blends it with Stranahan’s single-malt whiskey from Colorado. It is then cut to proof with Rocky Mountain water. “Bourbon mixed with Colorado-Scotch,” I said to nobody in particular, “fucking take my money.” As a bonus, it comes with a nifty little tin jigger on the top of the bottle.
What’s it smell like? I get –
“What the fuck are you talking about ‘get,’ you fucking – whatever, just tell us what it smells like.”
Marshmallow Fluff. A little orange. Banana? Some toffee. If I suggested ginger you might find it. I’m trying to convince myself there is yellow or orange bell pepper, but myself is somewhat skeptical. These are mostly soft, light smells, closer to Irish Whiskey than bourbon.
What’s it taste like? I….er, yeah………um……..it is sweet, but not cloyingly so. Marshmallows and vanilla up front, followed by some orange. There is a bit of sawdust, but not in a bad way, and a bready, pastry-like flavor. There is cinnamon, clove, and licorice at the back end. It would not be wholly inaccurate to describe this as a liquid, alcoholic cinnamon roll. There is a quick bit of burn at the end, and the finish is short.
Should you buy it? Don’t let me tell you what to do with your money. I don’t need the misplaced blame for your own poor choices.
Will I buy it again? I mean sure, why not? This is a light, sweet, slightly spicy whiskey, friendly and not terribly challenging in any way. So friendly, in fact, that I drank almost half the bottle in the first sitting. It would be a good summer whiskey when I’m not looking for big, rich bourbon flavors.
I complained last time about Makers Mark and their weird pseudo wax top, but the real metal cap here is a definite winner. Although I could see how it might get embarassing if you had too many of those piled up.
I mean, nothing says you have to keep them all……………
I finally cracked open my bottle of Fuju, and it is delicious and soft. Makes Elijah Craig taste…not so good? I will try this, as I am looking for a much less expensive version of the Fuju.
Marshmallows and vanilla up front, followed by some orange. There is a bit of sawdust, but not in a bad way, and a bready, pastry-like flavor. There is cinnamon, clove, and licorice at the back end.
nope…nopenopenopenope
well…i guess im okay with the saw dust and bready ness