Ten High Bourbon 750ML

Ten High Bourbon 750ML is a Kentucky blended sour mash whiskey bottled at 40% ABV (80 proof) in a 750ml bottle. Produced by Barton Brands in Bardstown, Kentucky, it earned a Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, making it a notable contender in the budget bourbon category.

Quick Facts: ABV: 40% (80 Proof)  |  Origin: Bardstown, Kentucky, USA  |  Blended Bourbon  |  Distillery: Barton Brands (Sazerac Company)

Production & Heritage

Ten High traces its origins to the Hiram Walker Distillery, though production now falls under Barton Brands, a division of the Sazerac Company, at their facility in Bardstown, Kentucky. The name "Ten High" references barrel storage at least ten ricks high in the aging warehouse — upper-level positions where barrels experience greater temperature swings and theoretically mature faster. Until 2009, Ten High carried a straight bourbon designation; the current expression is a blend of straight bourbon and neutral spirit, matured in white oak barrels using the sour mash process. This reformulation shifted the product squarely into the value-tier blended bourbon segment.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Brown sugar and grain lead on the nose, followed by hints of lemon citrus. The aroma is straightforward with a noticeable grain-forward character and light sweetness that signals its blended composition.

Taste: The palate opens with vanilla and caramel — the most recognizable flavors throughout. Mid-palate, banana and a faint bubblegum-like sweetness appear alongside a vanilla ice cream quality. The grain component is prominent, and the neutral spirit blend keeps the body thin and lightweight compared to straight bourbons at similar proof.

Finish: Short and relatively clean, with residual sweetness fading quickly. A light grain note lingers briefly, but this is not a bourbon designed for contemplative sipping — it exits the palate without much complexity.

How to Drink Ten High

Ten High performs best as a mixing bourbon rather than a neat pour; its light body and uncomplicated flavor profile let it blend into cocktails without dominating other ingredients. A Bourbon & Ginger Ale benefits from Ten High's vanilla sweetness cutting through the spice of the ginger. A Whiskey Sour works well here, where fresh citrus and simple syrup compensate for the bourbon's simpler profile. A John Collins is another strong use case — the lengthener of soda water and lemon juice pair naturally with Ten High's grain-forward, caramel-touched character.

Best For

• Stocking a home bar with an affordable mixing bourbon
• Batch cocktails for large gatherings where volume matters
• Introducing bourbon into simple two-ingredient highballs
• Budget-conscious drinkers exploring the blended bourbon category

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Ten High taste like? Ten High delivers straightforward vanilla and caramel sweetness with a prominent grain backbone and light banana undertones. It is a thin-bodied, uncomplicated blended bourbon with a short finish.

How does Ten High compare to Old Grand Dad? Old Grand Dad is a straight bourbon with a higher-rye mashbill and bolder proof points (80 and 100 proof options), delivering noticeably more spice and depth. Ten High, as a blended bourbon containing neutral spirit, is lighter in body and simpler in flavor, positioning it as a more budget-oriented mixing option.

Is Ten High good for cocktails? Ten High is primarily suited for cocktails and mixed drinks, where its light body and vanilla-caramel notes integrate easily with other ingredients. It is not typically recommended as a sipping bourbon due to its thin profile and short finish.

Where is Ten High made? Ten High is produced by Barton Brands, a division of the Sazerac Company, at their distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky — one of the heartland towns of American bourbon production.

What foods pair well with Ten High? Barbecue pulled pork complements the caramel sweetness; sharp cheddar cheese contrasts the grain notes; pecan pie echoes the vanilla and brown sugar character; salted peanuts provide a textural and savory counterpoint; and grilled corn on the cob pairs well with the bourbon's light sweetness.

What sizes does Ten High come in? Ten High Bourbon is commonly available in the standard 750ml bottle, as well as 1L and 1.75L formats popular in the value bourbon segment.

Is Ten High worth the price? Ten High positions as an entry-level, budget-tier blended bourbon and is priced accordingly at the low end of the category. For cocktail mixing and highball service, it delivers functional bourbon flavor at minimal cost, though drinkers seeking complexity for neat sipping should look to straight bourbon alternatives.

Why Ten High?

Ten High occupies a specific and honest role in the bourbon landscape: it is a no-frills, budget blended bourbon built for mixing. Its Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition suggests it outperforms expectations within its price class, and its Bardstown, Kentucky provenance connects it to genuine bourbon-making tradition even as its blended formula keeps costs low. For home bartenders who need a workhorse bourbon for batch cocktails, highballs, or casual mixed drinks, Ten High delivers baseline vanilla and caramel bourbon flavor without pretension. It will not replace a straight bourbon for sipping, but it was never designed to — and understanding that distinction is the key to appreciating what this bottle does well.