MINDEN MILL UNVEILS SINGLE ESTATE NEVADA STRAIGHT RYE WHISKEY FROM THE HIGH DESERT

FROM THE WIRES...

Master Distiller Joe O’Sullivan Crafts a Single Estate Rye Whiskey from Nevada as American Rye Whiskey Outpaces Category Growth Trends

MINDEN, NV (July 21, 2025)  –  Minden Mill Distilling announces the nationwide release of its Single Estate Nevada Straight Rye Whiskey – a flavorful expression that aims to take American rye in a new direction with a focus on balance over spice. A true representation of Nevada’s high desert terroir, the 94-proof, non-chill filtered four-year-old whiskey is crafted with grains harvested from local fields carefully cultivated and overseen by Minden Mill, and distilled at the state-of-the-art estate distillery, which was recently named Nevada Distillery of the Year by the New York International Spirits Competition.

Master Distiller Joe O’Sullivan produces Minden Mill Nevada Straight Rye Whiskey using a distinctive mash bill of 80% rye, 10% soft white wheat and 10% estate-malted barley. Minden Mill’s Rye reflects the high-desert environment—where dramatic temperature swings and a tight 90-day growing season deliver a rye with an earthy, nutty flavor profile and natural depth. The distillate is cut with snowmelt-fed water sourced from the Sierra Nevada near Lake Tahoe.

As a member of the Estate Whiskey Alliance and a licensed Nevada Estate Distillery, Minden Mill is among a select few U.S. distilleries committed to full grain traceability and oversight at every stage of production that happens on its 1,200-acre estate. The distillery exceeds both the Nevada state and Estate Whiskey Alliance standards by sourcing 100% of the grains from within five miles of the distillery from land under Minden Mill’s control. With every step—milling, fermentation, distillation, maturation, and bottling—taking place on-site, the distillery is an innovator in expressing American whiskey terroir, particularly in the often-overlooked rye category.

“Very few producers own the full process from grain to glass, and that’s where Minden Mill Rye starts to stand apart. We don’t just distill the whiskey – we grow it,” says Master Distiller O’Sullivan. “Unlike most rye whiskeys, you won’t find any spice bombs here. It’s far more savory and balanced than most people expect. This mash bill was designed to highlight the candied orange peel character that is our house style.”

Minden Mill Nevada Straight Rye is distilled through a combination of a single Headframe continuous stripping still and a state-of-the-art Christian CARL hybrid still, both housed in a former 100+ year-old creamery onsite. The whiskey is aged in a combination of Seguin Moreau New American and French oak barrels with a #3 char in traditional wooden rickhouses calibrated to mimic the temperature and humidity of Kentucky’s Nelson County, ensuring a consistent, gradual maturation. The result is a rye whiskey that balances bold oak influence with mature complexity.

Minden Mill’s Nevada Straight Rye enters the market amid a significant rye resurgence — projected to continue its upward trajectory at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 4.2%* from 2025 to 2030. Premium American rye whiskeys priced at $35 and above are growing +11%* which is +14% faster than both total whiskey and total rye whiskey indicating a substantial increase in consumer demand for craft-driven spirits from regional U.S. markets.

Tasting Notes:

Minden Mill Nevada Straight Rye Whiskey offers aromas of bright orange peel and toasted spice, dancing with warm vanilla. On the palate, succulent cherry syrup and crème brûlée enter the conversation, mingling with orange zest, baking spices and soft, subdued oak. The finish is long and lingering, replete with candied fruit, warm graham cracker, and a pleasant minerality balanced by spice and sweetness.

Minden Mill Nevada Straight Rye Whiskey is available nationally with an SRP of $45 and online at mindenmill.com.  The Minden Mill single estate whiskey portfolio also includes an American Single Malt Whiskey and a Nevada Straight Bourbon Whiskey.

Awards:

Minden Mill was crowned 2025 Nevada Distillery of the Year at the New York International Spirits Competition, awarded Best Straight Rye Whiskey/99 Points at the Craft Distillers Spirits Competition (2024) and a Platinum Medal/96 Points at the San Diego International Spirits Competition (2025), as well as a Platinum Medal at the 2025 Ascot Awards.

*source: Mordor Intelligence, “Rye Market Size, Growth, Trends & Industry Report Analysis, 2025”

*source: US MULO + Conv + Liq, 52 Weeks Ending 6/15/25