Minden Mill Launches American Single Malt Whiskey Amid Official Category Recognition
Minden Mill Distilling has announced the release of its American Single Malt Whiskey, a ground-to-glass expression born entirely on its high desert estate in Minden, Nevada. The launch coincides with the U.S. government's formal recognition of American Single Malt as a distinct spirits category, positioning Minden Mill at the forefront of this defining moment in American whiskey history.
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Key Takeaways
Minden Mill American Single Malt is a 100% estate-made Nevada whiskey.
Distilled in Forsyth copper stills using fire-inspired thermal oil heating.
Aged 5 years in oloroso, ex-bourbon, American oak, and re-charred wine casks.
Tasting profile: fig, raisin, dried cherry, caramel, honey, and spice.
Bottled at 94 proof, non-chill filtered, priced at $60.
Available nationwide and online.
A True Estate Whiskey Born in Nevada
Crafted exclusively from 100% estate-grown barley malted on site, Minden Mill American Single Malt begins with local grain, yeast, and water sourced just 50 steps from the distillery’s door. The distillery sits along the Sierra Nevada mountain range, where extreme temperature swings and granite-filtered water define the region’s terroir.
As a member of the Estate Whiskey Alliance and a licensed Nevada estate distillery, Minden Mill controls every step of the process—from barley cultivation to final bottling.
Forsyth Stills and Fire-Inspired Distillation
Distillation takes place in two all-copper Forsyth stills custom-made in Speyside, Scotland. Unlike most American whiskey producers who rely on steam, Minden Mill employs a thermal oil-heated calandria system to replicate the heat and flavor development of traditional direct-fired distillation.
This method contributes to the whiskey’s layered, balanced flavor profile—complex yet approachable.
Climate-Controlled Aging with a Speyside Spirit
Aged for five years in a curated mix of casks—ex-bourbon, oloroso sherry, American oak, and re-charred wine and sherry butts—Minden Mill American Single Malt matures in rickhouses calibrated to mimic the temperature and humidity of Scotland’s Speyside region. This contrasts with Nevada’s arid conditions and ensures consistent wood interaction and rich flavor development.
Tasting Notes & Bottling Specs
Bottled at 94 proof (47% ABV) and non-chill filtered, this whiskey delivers a refined sensory journey:
Nose: Fig, golden raisin, caramel, candied plum, almond, honeycomb, and light tobacco leaf
Palate: Dried cherry, fruit compote, sweet malt, and honey
Finish: Luxurious mouthfeel with cherry tobacco and warming nutmeg spice
Setting a New Standard in American Single Malt
Priced at $60 and available nationally and via mindenmill.com, this release marks a pivotal moment in American whiskey history. Minden Mill’s use of local grain, unique distillation technology, and curated climate aging underscores the potential of American Single Malt to rival global peers.
Comparison to Peers in the New Category
Minden Mill’s debut enters a growing field of American Single Malts but distinguishes itself through:
100% estate-grown and malted grain
Thermal oil distillation over direct fire emulation
Speyside-inspired climate control in the high desert
It stands alongside early category pioneers like Westland, Balcones, and Stranahan’s while introducing new standards for provenance and technique.
What’s Next for Minden Mill?
Alongside its American Single Malt, Minden Mill also produces Nevada Straight Bourbon and Rye—each made on site. With the federal ruling now establishing a formal definition, Minden Mill is poised to lead the next wave of terroir-driven American whiskey innovation.
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