Ten Runner Bourbon Celebrates Family, Motorsport, and American Whiskey Tradition
NASCAR Cup Series Champion Ryan Blaney has officially launched Ten Runner Bourbon Whiskey, a new limited release bourbon inspired by his racing heritage and passion for quality spirits. The release combines Blaney’s love for whiskey, his competitive spirit, and his family’s lengthy history in motorsports.
A Name Steeped in Family Tradition
The name Ten Runner reflects Blaney’s family legacy both on and off the track. His grandfather, father, and uncle all raced cars bearing the number 10, and Blaney himself competed under that number earlier in his career. The “runner” element pays homage to the drivers who “ran liquor” during Prohibition which speaks to NASCAR’s founding and roots. Blaney explained, “I didn’t want it to just be ‘Ryan Blaney’s racing bourbon.’ Letting it have its own identity was super important to me.”
Crafted to Balance Boldness and Approachability
Blaney worked closely with an experienced distiller to shape Ten Runner’s character. The whiskey is bottled at 103 proof (51.5% ABV) and crafted from a blend of Kentucky straight bourbons. According to the brand, its aroma carries sweet bread and almond, with a twist of chocolate and caramel. The taste reveals crisp apple, honey, spicy peppercorn, baking spices, and vanilla with a toasted walnut finish, while the finish lingers with fried dough, cinnamon, and ginger. Its deep dark amber-red color rounds out the presentation.
Blaney emphasized that he wanted the whiskey to reflect both his own preferences and a broad appeal. “I like higher proof, and I like my whiskey with a little bite on the tongue,” he said. “We came up with something I like, that we thought was tasty.”
Honoring Legends, Building Legacies
The brand’s mission statement — “Honoring legends, building legacies” — connects whiskey to racing’s past and future. As Blaney noted, Ten Runner is meant to bring people together in the same way whiskey has for generations. “I’ve always enjoyed being a whiskey drinker and a bourbon drinker, and I wanted to do something adventurous outside of my profession,” he said.
Limited First Release
The inaugural batch of Ten Runner is described by the brand as a “special limited release, blended from some of Kentucky’s finest straight bourbons — and in our opinion, damn good.” It is available for purchase now through select retailers and online.
From the Track to the Glass
Blaney, 31, is a third-generation driver and the son of former NASCAR Cup Series driver Dave Blaney. He captured the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series Championship and followed up with another strong season in 2024 as runner-up. Most recently, he added another win to his resume at the Coca-Cola Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway in August 2025.
Balancing that success, Blaney says he was ready for a venture outside of racing. “It was a new experience, a learning process, and a lot of fun,” he said. “I’m no expert in distilling or mixology, but I wanted to create something that wasn’t too overwhelming, finding that middle ground.”
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