Minden Mill American Single Malt Whiskey Review

Distillery: Minden Mill Distillery – Minden, Nevada

Proof: 94.0 (47.0% ABV)

Age: Five Years

Mashbill: 100% estate-grown barley, malted on-site

MSRP: $60

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An American Single Malt That Bourbon Drinkers Can Appreciate.

American single malt spent years operating without a formal definition, even as distillers across the country quietly built their own interpretations of the whiskey “style”.  That changed in January 2025, when the as a distinct category, bringing a long-awaited legal structure to that segment of American whiskey.  For Minden Mill, the category definition didn’t require a pivot.  Instead, it validated the approach they were already taking.

Located in Minden, Nevada, Minden Mill operates with a level of control over its grains that many distilleries don’t have.  The distillery grows 100% of its own barley, malts it on site, and distills exclusively from that estate-grown grain.  The grain-first philosophy shows up in this release while it leans heavily toward malt character and is devoid of heavy oak or aggressive finishing.

Bottled at 47% ABV (94 proof) and non-chill filtered, the whiskey is aged five years using a multi-cask system of aging that incorporates a trio of oloroso sherry, ex-bourbon, and American oak barrels.  At an MSRP of $60, Minden Mill American Single Malt enters a competitive price tier.

Let’s see how it performs in the glass.

Minden Mill American Single Malt Whiskey Review: Tasting Notes

Nose – 4.1/5

Honey.  Toasted cereal.  Golden raisin.  Light oak.

Strengths:  The Nose comes across right away as grain-forward.  The malt shows up with a gentle sweetness that feels natural, not sugary.
Why It’s Not Higher:  Time in the glass doesn’t produce much change or enhance the Nose.
Rating Justification:  A clear, balanced Nose with a heavy emphasis on malt character.

Palate – 4.0/5

Toasted malt.  Caramelized sugar.  Baked pear.  Light baking spice.

Strengths: The Palate is smooth and carries the maltiness forward with light sweetness and mild spice.  Underlying is a familiar and endearing wine profile.
Why It’s Not Higher:  The flavors hold steady instead of building or changing much mid-Palate.
Rating Justification:  More steady.  Less expressive.

Finish – 3.9/5

Malt.  Baking spice.  Fading honey.  Light cocoa.

Strengths:  The Finish dries out gently with soft spice and lingering malt sweetness.  Avoids bitterness or sharp edges.
Why It’s Not Higher:  The Finish fades a bit quicker than expected and doesn’t introduce anything new at the end.
Rating Justification:  Pleasant, though slightly short.

Value – 4.2/5

At $60, Minden Mill American Single Malt presents solid value.  Estate-grown barley, on-site malting, non-chill filtration, and a five-year maturation across multiple cask types.  Rather than relying on elevated proof or gimmicky secondary finishing, it offers balance and transparency that will resonate with enthusiasts who look for a quality or introductory single malt.

Minden Mill American Single Malt Whiskey Review: The Verdict

Minden Mill American Single Malt Whiskey succeeds with a malt character that runs from Nose to Finish.  The cask influence provides soft undertones rather than definition.  It falls short of the complexity and late-stage development needed for a higher tier rating.  But this is a well done American single malt, especially for bourbon enthusiasts who might be looking to venture out. Shop now.

Verdict – 4.1/5

We score each bourbon based on nose, palate, finish, and value.

Scoring System:

• Platinum – 4.5 – 5
• Gold – 4 – 4.5
• Silver – 3 – 4
• Bronze – <3