Tincup 14-Year
Overall Score: 6.5/10
Overall Value: 3.75/5
Distillery: Sourced (a blend of bourbon from MGP and single malt whiskey from Stranahan’s)
Classification: Whiskey
Company: Proximo Spirits
Release Date: Ongoing
Proof: 84
Age: 14 Years
Mashbill: Blend of bourbon (64% Corn, 32% Rye, 4% Malted Barley) and single malt whiskey (100% Malted Barley)
Color: Corn
MSRP: $65 (2026)
The Barrel Bros’ Review
The nose on this bottle of Tincup 14-year is a real highlight. It hits with a sweet, punchy fruit profile—think red Jolly Ranchers, cherry, and apple—mixed with that distinct, earthy smell of fall after a rain. There’s a nice darkness underneath, hinting at chocolate, cinnamon, and aged oak. It’s an inviting nose that sets a high bar for what’s to come.
The palate is where things get a little strange. The mouthfeel is juicy but feels a bit thin. You’ll pick up some "Laffy Taffy" sweetness, along with flavors that lean toward artificial watermelon and graham crackers. It’s an odd mix, and there’s a surprising touch of youthfulness here that you wouldn't expect from a 14-year-old whiskey. The flavors are simple, and it doesn't quite have the spark that the nose suggests.
The finish is probably where the age shows up the most. It tends to dry out the palate, but after a few sips, you might pick up some chocolate notes or even a weird, fun "piña colada on the rocks" vibe. There’s a solid amount of woodiness present, though it’s not as heavy as you might expect. It’s best to take your time with this one; sipping too fast tends to hide the better parts of the finish.
Tincup 14-Year is a bit of an oddball. The nose is genuinely great, but the palate and finish don't always follow through, leaving the whole experience feeling a little divided. It isn't labeled as a "straight" whiskey, which makes you wonder if there’s a bit of extra tinkering going on. It’s decent enough for a casual pour, and given the age statement, the MSRP is reasonable. You might be lucky and find this one on sale, but if you want something that keeps you guessing, it’s worth a try. Just don’t go in expecting a total knockout.
If you’re looking for specific notes from our Barrel Bros, read their individual reviews below!
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Individual Reviews
The Rye Guy Says
Score: 6.5/10
Value: 3/5
THE NOSE:
The nose has a sweet punchiness to it! I think the traditional notes would be a blend of sweet red fruit, apple and cherry, and good aged oak.
It greatly reminded me of the smell of fall after a good rain. The nose has a bit of a rich darkness to it and good depth.
THE TASTE:
The mouthfeel is juicy and light, but a bit thin.
It has a bit of that Laffy Taffy sweetness but the primary flavor is almost artificial watermelon with a bit of graham cracker.
THE FINISH:
The finish definitely started to dry the mouth out a bit, but after multiple sips I started to get like a piña colada on the rocks profile.
However there is still a good amount of woodiness and oak here as well.
BUY OR PASS?
This is a strange bottle. The nose really grabbed me, but the rest of the experience was a bit weird. The palate had almost an artificial sweetness and the finish brought both fruity and dry oak notes.
Its not labelled as “straight” whiskey so maybe there are some additives present? Overall I think it’s decent and the price is fair, but it is a bit offkilter.
The Hunter Says
Score: 7/10
Value: 3.5/5
THE NOSE:
Sweet and fruity. I get red Jolly Rancher and even some Smarties candy.
There’s also a darker note that’s harder to pin down—maybe chocolate or cinnamon.
At times it reminds me of a s’more by the campfire, but very muted.
THE TASTE:
The palate is where things dip. It feels light and pretty basic in the mouth.
The flavors are simple, and oddly enough, there’s a slight youthful alcohol note at first, which is strange for a 14-year bourbon.
It fades quickly, but overall it’s just not very exciting.
THE FINISH:
The finish does help a bit, probably thanks to the age.
Some chocolate sweetness comes through and lingers for a while. It also dries the mouth some.
Surprisingly, I don’t get a heavy oak presence like I expected.
BUY OR PASS?
This one feels a little divided. The nose sets you up for something really nice, but the palate and finish don’t quite follow through.
I’ve noticed the faster you sip it, the worse it seems—so definitely take your time with this one. It’s cool to see a 14-year bourbon at a lower proof that you can sip all night, but for me, it just doesn’t fully deliver.
