Back in July of 2025, David Furer and I interviewed Shane Fraser of Ten Mile Distillery. Due to some technical difficulties Radio Free Rhinecliff just posted this episode.
Following stints at Royal Lochnagar and Glenfarclas in his native Scotland, master distiller Shane Fraser arrived in the Hudson Valley with the remit of making the highest quality single malt whiskies available to him from New York state ingredients. He's well on his way in doing so at John Dyson's Ten Mile Distillery. Produced by Matty Rosenberg, Jennifer Hammoud and David Furer at Radio Free Rhinecliff.
My favorite quote from Shane is," We make good spirit. Low volume, high quality." He means it. He and his assistant pieced together every piece of copper in the the distillery. He over saw the construction of everything else. All the grain comes from Tivoli, or farms near Albany or out in the Finger Lakes. Everything they make it made from 100% barley. The owner is John Dyson who owns the nearby Millbrook Winery and among other houses, Williams Selyem in Healdsburg, CA.
Shane Fraser and his creations.
Ten Mile Little Rest American Single Malt was the first I tried with David Furer. I had drank the whiskey before hand with Shane. It was quite the opposite. Upon sipping, I was suddenly transported to Scotland. Just a whiff, and I was stricken. It's a classic Highlands or a Speyside inspired aromas/ Having just been to Scotland, this reminded me of Glenfarclas or Aberlour, with notes of stone fruit, honey, toffee, vanilla, biscuit, and a lovely finish that just lasted beautifully. An amazing whiskey, each time I taste it. One of my absolute top five American Single Malt whiskies.
Ten Mile Little Rest American Single Malt Oloroso Sherry Cask Finish is their classic Single Malt aged in Oloroso Sherry Casks. Notes of mocha, baked apple, baked pear, caramel, figs, dates, and Christmas spices. An absolute treat!!! Dark chocolate/ cocoa at the end. Aged in former Jack Daniels whiskey casks, and then Oloroso finished is among my favorites, and this one does no disappoint. A terrific bottle. Perfect to celebrate birthdays, Father's Day, Thanksgiving or the last week of the year! It begs for cigars. Spectacular.
Little Rest American Single Malt Pinot noir Cask Finish was, without a doubt among my favorite whiskies of the tasting! Pinot Noir is usually such a delicate flavor. And here is no exception. Aged in ex-bourbon barrels first, and then California Pinot Noir barrels. Three years in a Williams Selyem Pinot Noir Cask. What an exceptional opportunity, It's got a lovely reddish tinge to it in the glass. There's a fair amount of maltiness to this whiskey, a surprise given the wine barrel aging. Terrific spice and a hint of tannins. A super delicate whiskey. Truly an artful whiskey. Maybe my favorite whiskey of the day.
Sadly the Oloroso and Pinot noir bottlings have sold out. But the whiskey that Shane is producing in beyond. Ten Mile has almost instantly become one of the top single malt producers in the United States or North America. You must get to Ten Mile and taste art in a glass! A little bit of Scotland in a glass.
Ten Mile has great taste in books.
Other writings about Ten Mile by me:
Drinking With Lew Bryson