Tin Cup Whiskey
The Barrel Bros’ Review
The nose on the Tin Cup whiskey opens with a light, approachable nose, characteristic of its 84-proof nature. Expect grain-forward notes reminiscent of plain Cheerios, with hints of orange and citrus. Subtle malted barley and a touch of fruit—strawberry starburst and fresh banana—add some minor complexity.
The palate of this whiskey surprises us with its straightforward but enjoyable profile. A light mouthfeel, similar to Gatorade’s viscosity, carries a balanced sweetness. Oak char and graham cracker notes emerge alongside fruit flavors like banana, orange, and a touch of cherry. Toward the end, slight grainy tones, likely from the single malt influence, make an appearance.
The finish is short and introduces a dry quality. Youthfulness shines through with sweet grain and burnt char notes. While not particularly memorable, it lingers enough to be satisfying between sips.
At an MSRP of $35, Tin Cup Whiskey delivers solid value. While it may not be a go-to for sipping neat, it reveals some depth when savored slowly. Perfect for casual drinking or making standout Whiskey Cokes, this bottle earns its place on the shelf, especially when found on sale.
If you’re looking for specific notes from our Barrel Bros, read their individual reviews below!
Individual Reviews
The Rye Guy Says
Score: 6.5/10
Value: 4/5
THE NOSE:
I get a sweetness and a lightness that brings with it notes of strawberry starburst and a freshly peeled banana.
There is just a hint of the single malt notes that peak through as well.
Overall very pleasant.
THE TASTE:
The mouth-feel is very thin, it reminded me of the viscosity of Gatorade, but that plays nicely with the light sweetness it provides.
I get an oakiness that comes across like a graham cracker. There is also a fruitiness to it that I struggled to place.
It was somewhere between banana and orange with maybe a hint of sweet cherry.
Towards the final sips, I did start to get some grainy notes that may be from the single malt.
THE FINISH:
The finish surprisingly brought a dryness to the sip.
It’s not particularly long-lasting but I did find the flavor stuck with me decently between sips.
More of that sweet grain flavor which may hint at the youthyness.
BUY OR PASS?
I was pleasantly surprised at what this bottle has to offer based on the proof point and the price. There was nothing unpleasant about the pour, and it’s also one of our favorite bottles for whiskey cokes.
I don’t think its a bottle anyone would regularly grab to sip neat, but if you choose to do so it’s going to hold up decently well.
The Hunter Says
Score: 6.5/10
Value: 3.5/5
THE NOSE:
Very light, as you’d expect from an 84-proof whiskey.
Grainy notes dominate, similar to a wheated bourbon, and remind me of plain Cheerios.
There’s also a hint of orange and citrus, with a touch of malted barley peeking through.
THE TASTE:
This is a surprisingly solid and straightforward pour.
It has a nice sweetness, feels pleasant in the mouth, and brings a little oak char into the mix.
It won’t blow you away with complexity, but for $35, it delivers more than you’d expect from an 84-proof whiskey.
THE FINISH:
The youthfulness shows up here, with a heavy, burnt char being the most noticeable note.
It’s not bad, but it’s not particularly memorable either.
Just a tip—take your time between sips, as drinking it too quickly tends to highlight the flaws.
BUY OR PASS?
Tin Cup is a bottle that may actually present better when you take the time to explore its subtle notes. If you’re just sipping it casually, it may come across as flat, but diving deeper reveals some surprising layers.
Plus, it’s my go-to for making an excellent Whiskey Coke when the mood strikes.